Nations League: Northern Ireland edged out by Norway - reaction

1. Dallas own goal difference between sides
2. NI remain bottom of Group B1 with one point from opening four games
3. Jensen's scrambled goal gives Finland win over Republic of Ireland
4. Republic stay third in Group B4, Finland go top with Wales playing Bulgaria later

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Northern Ireland (right) are not getting the ball into the Norway box enough. Still, they are doing well to keep a side that has Erling Haaland in it quiet as half time approaches.

Jonny Evans once again shows alert defending to pick the pocket of Mathias Normann, leaving the Norway man to air kick his shot.

Martin Odegaard tries to play the ball through the middle to Joshua King but Jonny Evans defends well to get a foot in.

I think both sides used up all their attacking credit in the first quarter of this game. Both sides are struggling to get their foot on the ball and put a few passes together now.

Chances in short supply

John O'Neill

Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

There's only been one chance on each side. The Erling Haaland chance for Norway and Josh Magennis' earlier chance for Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland look comfortable to be fair. But we need to try and play the ball up the park and find Conor Washington and Magennis but we've not really been able to get out of our own half.

Erling Haaland has been pretty quiet so far for Norway. Instead it is Omar Elabdellaoui who has been a lively presence for hosts, making some clever runs to pull the Northern Ireland defence out of shape. He wins a corner after one such good run but the set play comes to nothing.

This is how close Norway were to taking the lead inside the first few minutes. Superb clearance off the line.

Inpho

Northern Ireland's Tom Flanagan clears the ball off the line

Not enough players in the Northern Ireland midfield and the visitors' defence is struggling to get the ball forward. They are having to play it back to Trevor Carson, who then has to launch a hopeful ball up the pitch.

'Defending too much'

John O'Neill

Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

We need to get a grip of the ball here. This is just another period of the game where Northern Ireland can't get a hold of the ball. We need to take the sting out of the game because it's all Norway, we need a bit of a breather.

We're defending well, but defending too much.

Omar Elabdellaoui whips in a cross from the right and Erling Haaland makes a break before jumping to meet it but doesn't make a good connection and Northern Ireland can breathe easy.

Front pair causing problems

Mark Sterling

BBC Sport NI

It's very rare that we see Northern Ireland with two out and out strikers in a partnership up front.

That's what we have tonight, though, in Conor Washington and Josh Magennis - and they are causing Norway problems with their movement.

Despite the hosts having the majority of possession, both NI strikers have had chances. Washington has twice fed his strike partner and Magennis should have scored with his second opportunity.

One thing is certain with these two, though, and that is that they will not stop running so the Norwegian defence will not have it easy.

Inpho

Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough

Ian Baraclough definitely wouldn't have been laughing after that Josh Magennis chance.

Still, his side have started well and are unlucky not to have got a goal by now.

'A great chance'

John O'Neill

Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

That was a great chance. Martin Odegaard gets mixed up with his centre half and Conor Washington gets in on it and he's played a perfect ball to Josh Magennis. It was right in front of him and he was able to take it in his stride but the goalkeeper has come out and closed him down very quickly - but I think Magennis will be thinking he should've done better there.

Lionel Messi would've gone for a little dink with that one over the top, Magennis tried to side foot it past him and the keeper's stuck out a leg and the chance was gone.

Good control by Erling Haaland as he plays keepy uppy inside the Northern Ireland box but Danny Ballard defends well to force Haaland to put his hooked shot wide.

CLOSE!

Oh a massive chance for Northern Ireland!

Conor Washington pounces on some defensive dithering by Norway and charges towards goal. He waits and then feeds Josh Magennis, who simply has to finish one-on-one but puts his shot straight at the keeper.

Magennis has his hands on his head. He knows that was a big chance.

Joshua King is limping a bit after getting caught by a challenge. It's nothing too serious though and he is able to run it off. The Bournemouth striker has otherwise been kept fairly quiet.

'It's been all Norway'

John O'Neill

Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

Everything is going through Martin Odegaard for Norway, Northern Ireland had a good period of about five or six minutes but for the past seven or eight minutes it's been all Norway. We just can't get a hold of the ball. Having said that we have got a good defensive wall up but we are just giving the ball away.

Half a chance now for Norway as Mohamed Elyounoussi flicks a header wide of goal.

It has been a decent opening quarter of an hour. Norway have dominated possession but Northern Ireland have looked dangerous on the counter.

Northern Ireland counter quickly as Josh Magennis cuts inside before hitting a low effort straight at Andre Hansen in the Norway goal.

Now it is Norway's turn to attack as Omar Elabdellaoui's shot loops off a Northern Ireland player and behind for a corner. The ball is played short but then play is stopped completely because Erling Haaland has taken a knock to his head.