That was a good chance for a player of Demi Vance's ability.

She got forward well from left-back but, as she aimed to cross, it was far too close to home goalkeeper Schlime who is able to collect easily.

First sight of goal, if you could call it that, for Northern Ireland as a dangerous Louise McDaniel cross is headed clear.

Two minutes later captain Marissa Callaghan had a free header at the back post, but she is unable to keep it down and it goes well over the crossbar.

Northern Ireland are definitely looking to play their way down the left hand side.

It hasn't quite worked out so far with the passing being a bit pedestrian, but it's a tactic to keep an eye on.

Northern Ireland sticking to their style of playing the ball out from the back.

Kirsty McGuinness has had a few early sights of the ball on the left, though she has also been on the end of a few heavy challenges from the hosts.

Quiet start to the game so far in Luxembourg, though we are only two minutes in.

Right, they've kicked off in the Stade Émile Mayrisch.

Northern Ireland won the reverse fixture 4-0 at Inver Park in September.

Can they get another win this evening?

We're about to find out.

It's Marissa Callaghan's birthday today!

Northern Ireland's captain is showing no signs of slowing down as she turns 37, and will be hoping to repeat her goal against Luxembourg in the reverse fixture for the perfect birthday present.

Image source, Getty Images

Just less than 10 minutes to go until kick-off in Luxembourg - and the Northern Ireland players have completed their warm-up.

She won lots of plaudits as a BBC TV pundit during the Euros in the summer, and now Caragh Hamilton is hoping to make up for lost time on her return from injury.

The Glentoran winger is back in the squad after a thigh injury and has been discussing the growth of the women's game in the country.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

Kenny Shiels has brought in three new faces for this camp - Cliftonville teenager Grace McKimm, Mid Ulster's Lilie Woods and Lewes' Ellie Mason.

The manager said in yesterday's press conference that McKimm, so impressive for Cliftonville, was here for the experience and hinted she was unlikely to make her senior debut, however you never know if things are comfortable, but he did indicate that teenage keeper Woods or Wolves stopper Shan Turner may see some minutes across the two games.

Ellie Mason is an interesting one due to her versatility and we could see her make her NI debut this evening.

If she does come on, the 26-year-old will be making her second international debut of the year after she lined out for Gibraltar in a couple of friendlies in February. There can't be too many players who can hold that accolade.

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was asked about his future during his media briefings this week.

The 66-year-old signed a two-year extension to his contract in April 2021 after guiding the country to Euro 2022 - a maiden major finals.

"Without a doubt I'd say that," Shiels said when asked if he could see himself in charge for Euro 2025 qualification.

"Unless someone thinks any different I am happy to facilitate the job I'm in."

Read more of the manager's thoughts here.

Image source, Press Eye

Lily Agg scored a historic goal as the Republic of Ireland booked a play-off place for the 2023 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Finland at a sold-out Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night.

Euro 2022 finalists Finland were on top in a goalless first-half, but substitute Agg headed home in the 54th minute to give the hosts the advantage.

Read our match report here.

Image source, Inpho

Reading winger Lauren Wade was ruled out of this evening's game with an ankle injury - but manager Kenny Shiels is hopeful the 28-year-old will be fit for Tuesday's final qualifier in Latvia.

Read more on her injury and Shiels' comments here.

Image source, Press Eye

Rachel Furness, Simone Magill and Ashley Hutton are three big names who are missing for Northern Ireland from the squad that went to Southampton for the Euros.

While it's not quite a new dawn for the team, with many of the experienced players in the panel set to carry on, manager Kenny Shiels has added some fresh blood to his group.

Let's take a look at the three new faces - Ellie Mason, Lilie Woods and Grace McKimm - who could be set to make their senior international debuts during this double header.

Read more about them here.

Image source, BBC Sport

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

It's rare in the modern game, but we were so close to the classic 1-11 shirt numbers.

Joely Andrews wearing #20 has ruined things on that front, with Caragh Hamilton on the bench being handed the absent #6 jersey.

Other numbers of note? Caitlin McGuinness has been handed the #9 shirt in Simone Magill's absence while Louise McDaniel is carrying the #10 usually held by Rachel Furness.

This is how things stand in Group D ahead of Northern Ireland's final two World Cup qualifying matches against Luxembourg and Latvia.

Northern Ireland know they cannot reach the play-offs, but will be determined to end their campaign on a high.

They have won four, drawn one and lost three of their eight qualifiers so far - with the loss in Austria the biggest blow to the side's hopes of making the finals.

Image source, Inpho

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

With Lauren Wade, Rachel Furness and Simone Magill all absent a large part of Northern Ireland's goal threat is also taken away.

While undoubtedly weaker in that area, it is an opportunity for others to step up against opposition who Northern Ireland should be comfortably beating.

Caitlin McGuinness has been rewarded for her superb form for Cliftonville and will make her first start for Northern Ireland.

She has 14 goals for the Reds and the teenager will be hoping to add to her sole international goal to date.

Her sister Kirsty has overcome a fitness concern and will also been looking to step up, while it looks like Louise McDaniel has been tasked with filling Wade's sizable boots.

Northern Ireland

Kenny Shiels has made four changes from Northern Ireland's final Euro 2022 match against eventual winners England.

Lauren Wade is injured, Rachel Furness and Laura Rafferty are not in the squad and Rebecca Holloway has to settle for a place on the bench.

Caitlin McGuinness, top scorer in the Women's Premiership, will lead the line while Louise McDaniel, Joely Andrews and Chloe McCarron also come into the team.

Northern Ireland: Burns, McKenna, Nelson, McFadden, Vance, Andrews, McCarron, Callaghan, McDaniel, K McGuinness, C McGuinness.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Exactly seven weeks on from Northern Ireland's 5-0 defeat by England in their final Euro 2022 group game in Southampton, Kenny Shiels' side return to World Cup qualifying action tonight in Luxembourg.

With a final Group D match in Latvia to come on Tuesday, Kenny Shiels' side know they cannot reach the play-offs but will be determined to end their campaign on a high.

After facing three teams in the Euros that they would not have been expected to beat, Northern Ireland must surely fancy their chances of consolidating third place with six points from their last two games.

Some big names are missing, with Ashley Hutton retired, Rachel Furness making herself unavailable and Simone Magill and Lauren Wade injured.

Shiels has insisted these matches are no "dead-rubbers", however, with increasing the country's co-efficient very much to the forefront of his mind.

Kick-off at the Stade Emile Mayrisch is at 17:30 BST and we have you well covered with a live stream, in-play goal clips and text commentary - with a match report and reaction to follow.

Enjoy.

Image source, Press Eye