Well done mate!published at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern Ireland
Image source, PresseyeGeorge Saville congratulates NI goalscorer Josh Magennis
Summary
Luxembourg 1-3 Northern Ireland
Well done mate!published at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Image source, PresseyeImage caption, 'More opportunities than I expected'published at 20:11 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern Ireland
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio UlsterQuote MessageNorthern Ireland have taken their foot off the pedal a bit. Luxembourg have started dominating the midfield and have created more opportunities than I expected them to.
'Finishing touch missing' for Luxembourgpublished at 20:08 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern Ireland
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio UlsterQuote MessageNorthern Ireland have had a few warnings as Luxembourg have got themselves into some good positions but just haven't been able to apply the finishing touch.
HALF-TIMEpublished at 20:06 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern Ireland
The half-time whistle goes and it's Northern Ireland who go in a goal to the good at the interval thanks to Josh Magennis's fantastic strike.
Northern Ireland haven't shown a lot of ingenuity in attack and have had to endure some difficult moments as Luxembourg came back into the game.
Postpublished at 20:04 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern Ireland
Shayne Lavery goes on a long run almost the entire length of the pitch but the attempt at a finish is sadly lacking as he blazes over.
Not so close that one....
NI 'have to get their foot on the ball'published at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern Ireland
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio UlsterQuote MessageWe are giving Luxembourg too much room and too much time on the ball. We have to get our foot on the ball. We need to try and get to half-time and take the sting out of them. They are putting us under pressure at times but it is mostly of our own making.
Postpublished at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern Ireland
Luxembourg are starting to ask questions of Northern Ireland and Tom Flanagan clears a Gerson Rodrigues effort off the line.
A wake-up call for Ian Baraclough's men if it were needed.
Postpublished at 19:46 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern Ireland
Gerson Rodrigues tries his luck with a free-kick from 30 yards out but the ball flies high and wide of the target.
Not one of the Troyes forward's better efforts. He'll not be happy with that.
GOALpublished at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-1 Northern ireland
Northern Ireland take the lead through striker Josh Magennis in the 16th minute!
The Wigan Athletic striker shrugs off the challenge of Maxime Chanot on the right and runs towards goal before drilling a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
A brilliant goal, a brilliant finish from Magennis, his ninth for Northern Ireland.
CLOSE!published at 19:32 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-0 Northern Ireland
Huddersfield Town striker Danel Sinani goes close for the home side as he fires just off target.
A first chance for Luxembourg but still goal-less.
GREAT SAVE!published at 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-0 Northern Ireland
Home goalkeeper Anthony Moris makes a fine double save to keep the scores level.
Corry Evans tried to steer the ball into the corner but Moris was equal to the task and then blocked Jordan Thompson's attempt on the rebound.
CLOSE!published at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-0 Northern Ireland
Shayne Lavery goes on a mazy run and delivers a low right-foot shot which flies just side of the post.
Close from the Blackpool striker.
Postpublished at 19:19 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-0 Northern ireland
A bright start from Northern Ireland who have enjoyed more than their fair share of the early possession.
KICK-OFFpublished at 19:16 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg 0-0 Northern Ireland
German referee Daniel Schlager blows his whistle and we are underway at Stade de Luxembourg.
'Important to get squad together again'published at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19:15 GMT)
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio UlsterQuote MessageLuxembourg are not the most mouthwatering opposition but it's so important for Ian Baraclough to get the squad together again and get some action in the form of these friendlies.
What the manager sayspublished at 19:11 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19:15 GMT)
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough speaking about the significance of his side's two upcoming friendly games at Thursday's pre-match press conference:
"I want both performances to be positive and for us to take the game to the opposition as I've always said that friendly games mean something.
"There are no throwaway games. We don't get enough time together for that.
"There have been a few line-ups in Nations League matches and friendlies that have been experimental but if you look at the teams in most of those marches the core of the group has been involved in most.
"There's a big emphasis on winning games - it's a great habit to have. If we can take the momentum from November and get two good results here that will be pleasing."
Image source, InphoImage caption, Ian Baraclough has had his tenure as Northern Ireland manager extended by the Irish Football Association
'NI must host games if Euro 2028 bid successful'published at 19:09 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19:15 GMT)
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough has insisted that the country must not miss out on hosting matches at Euro 2028 should the UK and the Republic of Ireland's joint bid to stage the tournament be successful.
The football associations of the Republic of Ireland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland submitted an official joint bid on Wednesday.
"We don't want to be the only nation that doesn't host a game during that tournament," Baraclough said.
There are currently no stadia in Northern Ireland that meet the competition's minimum capacity requirement of 30,000 for hosting matches and, with Windsor Park's capacity being 18,500, it would appear all hopes hinge on the redevelopment of Casement Park.
Hume welcomes Bradley competitionpublished at 19:06 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19:15 GMT)
Sunderland right-back Trai Hume says any competition between him and Liverpool's Conor Bradley for a place in the Northern Ireland team will only benefit both players.
Bradley, 18, broke into the NI squad last year and has won five caps, but misses the friendlies away to Luxembourg and at home to Hungary on Tuesday through injury.
Twenty-year-old Hume, meanwhile, earned his first call-up to the senior international panel for this friendly double-header.
It capped a remarkable few months for the Ballymena native, who made the move from Irish Premiership champions Linfield to League One promotion hopefuls Sunderland in January.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Trai Hume has played for NI at U21 and U19 level
McCann switch decision 'straightforward'published at 19:05 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19:15 GMT)
Northern Ireland Under-21 midfielder Charlie McCann says his recent switch of allegiance from the Republic of Ireland was a "straightforward' decision.
The Rangers teenager, who played for the Republic U17 and U19 teams, received a first call-up to the Northern Ireland U21 squad last week.
"I think it's a great decision for me," said the 19-year-old.
"It comes with a few complications but I don't think the actual changeover was too difficult."
He added: "It was a pretty straightforward decision after speaking to the staff at Northern Ireland.
"It's a great development pathway, there's obviously the connection with Rangers and the fact my dad and all his family are from Belfast is a big factor in the decision - they are all proud of me to represent Northern Ireland."
Read more of what McCann had to say here.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Rangers midfielder Charlie McCann is a clubmate of NI captain Steven Davis
Haven't we met before?published at 19:03 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2022
Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19:15 GMT)
Northern Ireland won their last game against Luxembourg back in September 2019, winning 1-0 in a friendly thanks to an own goal from Kevin Malget.
Luxembourg have hosted Northern Ireland twice previously, losing 3-1 in a friendly in February 2000 but winning 3-2 in their most recent home game in September 2013 in a World Cup qualifier.
Luxembourg have won just two of their last 10 matches, drawing one and losing seven of the others. They suffered a 3-0 defeat their most recent game against the Republic of Ireland last November.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Gerson Rodrigues has scored five goals in his last nine appearances for Luxembourg