It may have been a friendly, but that 1-0 win over Italy really meant a huge deal to the Northern Ireland players, coaching staff and supporters.

As the last match in a year when the country was represented at a major women's finals for the first time, it was the perfect sign-off to 2022.

It was fitting that Sarah McFadden scored the goal, too, as the centre-half was one of their best performers at the Euros in the summer.

We'll have more reaction to the game. For now, though. read Andy Gray's match report from Seaview here.

This is lovely. Just lovely.

The Northern Ireland players are enjoying a lap of Seaview, mixing with the crowd and having selfies taken after a special result.

Sweet Caroline belts out at Seaview.

The home crowd at the north Belfast venue is drinking in this huge victory with their favourite anthem.

Gail Redmond
Ex-Northern Ireland international on BBC Sport NI

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

What a win.

This team is something else.

What a way to round off the most magical of years.

It's all over at Seaview and Northern Ireland have secured a massive 1-0 win over Italy.

Sarah McFadden's goal won it for the home side, ranked 49th in the world, against the 14th-ranked Italians.

May only be a friendly but that victory really is huge.

Image source, Press Eye

Just over a minute remaining and NI lead Italy 1-0.

How are your nerves NI fans?

It's not all backs to the wall for Northern Ireland.

Sub Toni Leigh Finnegan lets fly with a 25-yarder that is just too high/

Two minutes remaining.

Six minutes of injury time for Northern Ireland to hang on to this one-goal lead.

Can they do it?

What a win this would be is they could.

Have a look back at what was some top-drawer goalkeeping from Northern Ireland's Jackie Burns.

There's rarely a dull moment with NI keeper Jackie Burns.

She came out a bit too far to collect a high ball into the box, could only parry and then slipped but retrieved the ball straight after.

Really not sure how Caitlin McGuinness hasn't scored for Northern Ireland there.

She latched on to a lovely pass from big sister Kirsty, went round the keeper superbly but for some reason didn't put the ball into the empty net and Italy were able to get back and clear.

She's normally so lethal but that was a bad miss.

Sarah McFadden used to be a striker and she showed a striker's instinct to put Northern Ireland ahead with this close-range strike.

How big will this goal prove to be?

This is a concern for Northern Ireland as both their goalkeeper Jackie Burns and goalscorer Sarah McFadden are down getting treatment in their own box.

That's a superb save from home keeper Jackie Burns, diving to keep out a bullet header from Beatrice Merlo.

The McGuinness sisters - Kirsty and Caitlin - come on for Northern Ireland as Kenny Shiels makes a triple substitution that changes his entire front three.

Louise McDaniel joins the McGuinness pair in coming on, with Lauren Wade, Emily Wilson and Caragh Hamilton making way.

That was a worry for Jackie Burns as the Northern Ireland keeper went down with what looked like a hamstring injury.

She is back up and at it now, though.

As Andy said, Joely Andrews did really well to force the corner for the goal.

Having not connected properly with a shot moments earlier, she could not have struck her second effort much better, forcing keeper Laura Guiliani to tip round the post.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

Joely Andrews has made a massive difference for Northern Ireland since coming on.

She played a huge role in winning the corner and Sarah McFadden rolled back the years to poke home.

Seaview is bouncing now.