Euro 2024 qualifiers LIVE: San Marino v Northern Ireland

Summary

San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Dion Charles scores opener in 24th minute and add second in 55th minute
Michael O'Neill returns as manager for second spell

Live Reporting

Andy Gray

All eyes on Finlandpublished at 22:13 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Three points.
Clean sheet.
Job done.
As Michael O'Neill said himself, everyone expected a Northern Ireland win tonight before kick-off. The players delivered the win, Dion Charles delivered the goals and now all attention turns to the visit of Finland on Sunday.
You can read up on tonight's action with Mark Sterling's report from San Marino right here
We'll be back on Sunday evening as Michael O'Neill returns home with live radio and text commentary.
Will it be six points from two games?
We'll find out then.
Bye for now
Highlights on BBC Two NI & iPlayer tonightpublished at 22:08 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
You've followed the action with us here and on Radio Ulster.
In just over an hours time, you can watch the highlights too.
Match of the Day Northern Ireland will be live on BBC Two NI at 23:15 GMT.
The programme is also available on the BBC iPlayer.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
San Marino v Northern Ireland
Postpublished at 22:05 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster
Finland losing to Denmark shows we have nothing to fear. If they went there and got a result you would have thought Sunday would be a tough game.
They're no better than we are, but if they're worse than us remains to be seen.
Good starts continuepublished at 22:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Northern Ireland have won their opening match in each of their last four qualifying campaigns for the European Championships, beating Slovenia in 2010, Hungary in 2014 and Estonia in 2019, as well as tonight’s victory.
They've only converted one of those opening qualifier wins into a tournament appearance. Can Michael O'Neill's side do it again?
O'Neill 'delighted with win'published at 22:02 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Quote Message
I'm delighted with win. These games are never easy. Everyone expects you to win but you have to deal with an opposition full of pride. The players tried to do everything we asked of them, and I'm pleased with aspects of the performance.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill
Postpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
Keith Gillespie
Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio Ulster
If fit, the injured players are automatically back in the squad, but the younger players will be well aware what Michael did, transforming a nation and getting them to the Euros and very nearly a World Cup.
The players will be excited to work under him.
Everyone is confident - Charlespublished at 21:57 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Quote Message
It was great out there. My first win as a starter, great to be part of it and now we will push on on Sunday. Everyone is confident with the qualifiers. We can’t wait to get back home to Windsor Park.
Shea Charles
Postpublished at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Keith Gillespie
Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio Ulster
The draw of the first two games has been kind to us. Finland had a tough start going to Denmark tonight. We could have six points come Sunday and they would have none.
Finland, along with Slovenia, is who you think you'd be fighting for second place with.
My job is to score goals - Charlespublished at 21:53 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Quote Message
It's a great achievement for me but most importantly, we put in performance and it's a geat start to campaign. My job is to score goals and if I'm given chance I'll show people what I can do.
Dion Charles
Bradley 'so positive' for NIpublished at 21:46 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster
Conor Bradley is a catalyst - he gets you on the front foot, he's not frightened to make tackles and get you high up the pitch.
He's so positive in all aspects, he looks bigger and looks like he's had game time, which he has. He's approved so much physically and his quality.
Danes sit top of Group Hpublished at 21:44 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)
Elsewhere in Group H, Rasmus Hojlund scored a hat-trick as Denmark beat Finland 3-1.
Finland of course head to Belfast this weekend to face Northern Ireland on Sunday evening.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image caption,
European Championship qualifying - Group H
Postpublished at 21:41 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster
It's important to get off to a winning start no matter the opposition.
There was an opportunity missed - I think Michael will grass on that. They're not very good and teams will come here and give them a thumping.
Winning start for O'Neill 2.0published at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
It hasn't been a classic performance but three points on the board and a clean sheet away from home is just what Michael O'Neill would have wanted on his first outing since returning to the hot seat.
The perfect night for Dion Charles as he breaks his international duck - is he the answer to Northern Ireland's striking problems?
The Green and White Army certainly think so as 'Dion's on fire' rings into the San Marino night
FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:37 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
It wasn't vintage football but it's job done!
Image source, BBC Sport
Postpublished at 21:37 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster
You got a little glimpse there of Cameron McGeehan. He bursts from midfield, passes the ball out and gets into the box.
PENALTY APPEALpublished at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
Dion Charles goes down in the area but the referee isn't interested in any appeals.
Postpublished at 21:32 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
Not a lot is happening now, so here's a nice picture of Dion Charles and Jamal Lewis celebrating Northern Ireland's second goal.
Image source, Press Eye
Image caption,
Northern Ireland's Jamal Lewis and Dion Charles
Postpublished at 21:31 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
Denmark have retaken the lead against Finland. They now lead 2-1 thanks to Rasmus Hojlund's second goal.
Postpublished at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
This one is starting to drag out. with substitutions and injury breaks.
You feel there still could be another goal in this though.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
Everton youngster Isaac Price is the next man to be introduced by Michael O'Neill.
Ciaron Brown gets a well-earned break.