Summary

  • Rodriguez penalty after Corry Evans penalised for handball

  • Second leg in Basel on Sunday

  • Result: Croatia 4-1 Greece

  1. goal

    GOAL - Croatia 2-0 Greecepublished at 19 mins

    Nikola Kalinic

    Croatia are trying to put this tie to bed before half-time.

    Nikola Kalinic - who won the penalty for the first goal - pulls out a trick in the box to flick the ball in from six yards out after being found by a low cross from Ivan Strinic.

    Greece in big trouble. Croatia flying.

    Kalinic scores for CroatiaImage source, Reuters
  2. Postpublished at 20:04 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Keith Gillespie
    Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

    Absolutely outstanding ball by Shaqiri. It was full stretch by Michael McGovern, we thought it was going to go past him but he's showed his worth in this qualifying campaign. He's been outstanding.

  3. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Northern Ireland's experienced defence is having to dig deep here. Switzerland attack down the right following a superb ball from left to right, but Gareth McAuley does really well to block Stephan Lichtsteiner's low cross.

    Soon after, Michael McGovern makes a brilliant save to keep out an effort following a cross from Xherdan Shaqiri. Nervy times for Northern Ireland. Switzerland look useful. Very useful.

    Northern Ireland's Conor McLaughlinImage source, Reuters
  4. 'Encouraging signs'published at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Keith Gillespie
    Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

    Great delivery from Oliver Norwood - we know Gareth McAuley is such a threat. It was a great strike from Kyle Lafferty but it took a deflection. Encouraging signs for Northern Ireland.

  5. Postpublished at 14 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Chance for Northern Ireland! Kyle Lafferty's effort is well-struck but deflected over the bar.

  6. goal

    GOAL - Croatia 1-0 Greecepublished at 13 mins

    Luka Modric

    No mistake from Real Madrid's Luka Modric, who goes right as the keeper dives the other way. Croatia are up and running.

    Croatia's Luka ModricImage source, Reuters
  7. PENALTY TO CROATIApublished at 12 mins

    Croatia 0-0 Greece

    Disaster for Greece! Goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis sticks a heavy touch on a back-pass, giving Nikola Kalinic a ball to chase. He does just that, gets there first and is sent spinning by the keeper's desperate lunge. Penalty. All day long.

  8. Hosts start fast in Zagrebpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Croatia 0-0 Greece

    Croatia warm-upImage source, Getty Images

    Croatia have started brightly against Greece in Zagreb. An in-swinging Luka Modric corner causes mayhem in the six-yard box with no one able to apply a finishing touch as the ball ricochets around.

    Greece have got here despite only winning two of their last eight games if we include friendlies. They look set to try to frustrate their hosts in this first leg and silence a boisterous crowd.

  9. 'NI get out of jail'published at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Keith Gillespie
    Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

    We got out of jail there. It was a fantastic ball to the back post. I thought he was going to place it into the top corner but thankfully it was high and wide.

  10. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Jonny Evans' bravery has given him a bloody nose, which requires a quick patching up. Was a great block, though. Worth some spilled claret.

  11. Postpublished at 9 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Another big challenge, this time from Denis Zakaria, sends a Northern Irishman to the turf. The ref doesn't see anything wrong with that one, though. It sets up a period of Swiss pressure that the home side weather. Just.

    A crucial block from Jonny Evans in the box denies Blerim Dzemaili before Granit Xhaka fires over. Should have at least hit the target.

  12. Postpublished at 6 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    From the resulting free-kick, Granit Xhaka gets under the ball to head clear with a couple of Northern Ireland men in the hunt.

  13. Postpublished at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Keith Gillespie
    Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

    Absolutely shocking tackle. If he'd got past him we'd have been in for a real chance as we had lots of numbers. Thankfully Stuart Dallas is getting back to his feet, although gingerly.

  14. YELLOW CARDpublished at 5 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Boos from the home support for a prolonged period of Swiss possession. Cheers when Northern Ireland win the ball and break away. Roars of anger as Stuart Dallas is sent flying by a late diving challenge from Fabian Schar.

    The clearest booking you will see tonight. It wouldn't have surprised you to see a red come out of the ref's top pocket.

    Northern Ireland's Dallas is injuredImage source, Reuters
  15. Postpublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Keith Gillespie
    Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

    We want to make this as hostile as we can. We want Switzerland to be worried. It's been an encouraging start, we're on the front foot. Switzerland are in for a real game tonight.

    Northern Ireland's Conor McLaughlinImage source, Reuters
  16. Postpublished at 3 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    Northern Ireland come forward again but Kyle Lafferty can only deflect Steven Davis' drilled cross wide of goal. Positive.

    Northern Ireland's Steven DaviesImage source, Reuters
  17. Postpublished at 2 mins

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    An early stoppage. Steven Zuber's boot has come off. He looks up with an apologetic shrug before restoring his footwear.

    The first attack follows soon after, with Northern Ireland forcing Fabian Schar to dive in an clear a cross to the near post.

  18. KICK-OFFpublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland 0-0 Switzerland

    And here... we... go...

    Northern Ireland fansImage source, PA
  19. Postpublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland v Switzerland (19:45 GMT)

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  20. Postpublished at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time 9 November 2017

    Northern Ireland v Switzerland (19:45 GMT)

    Here come the players, emerging into a very loud Windsor Park. Just enough time to pour yourself another nerve-settling whiskey...

    Northern Ireland fansImage source, Reuters