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

  1. Postpublished at 21:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster

    This is a real opportunity to score more goals and Northern Ireland just have to play with a quicker tempo.

  2. Postpublished at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster

    Jamal Lewis played well tonight the opposition hasn't been great but his energy, his pace and his quality have shone through.

    He should be really proud of his performance, especially with his lack of game time.

  3. Postpublished at 21:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    "We've got McNair, Paddy McNair" is the next song in the repertoire of the Green and White Army.

    Northern Ireland's Paddy McNair with San Marino's Filippo BerardiImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland's Paddy McNair with San Marino's Filippo Berardi

  4. Yellow subspublished at 21:16 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    More changes coming for Northern Ireland.

    Shane Ferguson is on for Jamal Lewis, who has been struggling with cramp, while Jordan Thompson replaces George Saville.

    17 minutes to play in San Marino.

  5. Postpublished at 21:15 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster

    Cameron McGeehan I know very well, he was in the U21 squad. He'll knick a goal. He'll run into the box and will certainly create opportunities.

  6. Postpublished at 21:13 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Dion Charles is looking for his hat-trick and his effort blasts off a sky blue shirt.

  7. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 21:12 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Here comes Josh Magennis. He'll be hoping for a few more goals tonight.

    Cameron McGeehan is also on for his debut.

    Conor Washington and Daniel Ballard are the men to make way.

    Josh Magennis stat
  8. DISALLOWED GOALpublished at 21:10 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Wow, San Marino think they have scored but the flag saves Northern Ireland.

    Nicola Nanni was off but it was tight. that was a bit of a let off.

  9. Postpublished at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Michael O'Neill in the dugout. A free-scoring striker who is on fire. A party in the stands.

    What year is this again?

    Northern Ireland fansImage source, Press Eye
  10. Goalscoring strikers - you love to see thempublished at 21:06 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 2-0 Northern Ireland

    Mark Sterling
    BBC Sport NI in San Marino

    That's that, then.

    The second goal has taken any jeopardy there was remaining out of this game.

    Dion Charles' predatory instincts have obviously been in fine working order all season for Bolton and, thankfully for Northern Ireland, he has brought them to the international stage with that double.

    "Dion's on fire" sing the jubilant Northern Ireland fans - a twist on an old classic - and he most certainly is.

    Goalscoring strikers. You love to see them.

  11. San Marino 'bang average'published at 21:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster

    Jamal Lewis does fantastic, he's had a really good 55 minutes and it's a great ball and pick-out. You can blame the goalkeeper but it's a good header from Dion Charles.

    The tempo of the teams is just so different. San Marino are so bang average, the goalkeeper has chucked in it. They have got to increase the tempo and a bit more quality and they'll win this game by a hat-full!

  12. Postpublished at 21:04 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    In Group H, Finland have equalised away to Denmark. It's 1-1 in Copenhagen.

    That would suit Northern Ireland just fine.

  13. CLOSE!published at 21:03 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland are really pushing forward now.

    Washington tries his luck again from the edge of the area but it is well over.

  14. CLOSE!published at 21:02 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Conor Bradley hits one with real venom. It's deflected away, the ball is played back in and Conor Washington's deflected effort creeps agonisingly wide.

  15. goal

    GOAL - San Marino 0-2 Northern Irelandpublished at 20:58 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    Dion Charles (55 mins)

    Jamal Lewis gets the better of his man down the left and dinks the ball to the back post.

    Dion Charles is waiting unmarked and his diving header creeps over the line after a touch from Benedettini.

    Hat-trick, anyone?

    Northern Ireland's Dion CharlesImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland's Dion Charles

  16. Brilliant Bradleypublished at 20:56 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio Ulster

    Conor Bradley has had an outstanding game and has been Northern Ireland's best player.

  17. Postpublished at 20:56 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland

    This time Bradley and McNair play a neat one-two down the right but McNair's final ball is poor and over everyone in the area.

  18. Postpublished at 20:55 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Conor Bradley slightly catches Lorenzo Capicchioni but you would think he had ran into him at full steam.

    After rolling across the entirety of San Marino the midfielder gets back to his feet. No harm done.

  19. CLOSE!published at 20:53 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland

    It's cleared to George Saville, who has plenty of time to pick his spot but he hits Craig Cathcart and the danger is cleared.

    If that doesn't sum up Saville's luck in front of goal for Northern Ireland then I don't know what does.

  20. Postpublished at 20:52 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023

    San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Shea Charles and Conor Bradley play a neat one-two down the right.

    Bradley's cross is fizzed across goal and Benedettini palms the ball away.

    Northern Ireland have their first corner of the game.