KICK-OFFpublished at 20:49 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Off we go!
Alessandro Tosi is on for captain Mirko Palazzi, who picked up a knock, at the break.
Dante Rossi is also off and is replaced by Michele Cevoli.
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
KICK-OFFpublished at 20:49 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
Postpublished at 20:47 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
HT: San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland had 71% possession in that first half and made 352 passes. Only the three shots on target to show for it though.
Image source, Press EyePostpublished at 20:46 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
HT: San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio UlsterFrom the end of the last campaign - this is a lot better
Only one man in the wallpublished at 20:45 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
HT: San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Trai Hume takes marking very, very seriously.
Will the former Linfield man, now at Sunderland, be introduced in the second half?
Image source, Press EyeImage caption, Northern Ireland's Trai Hume during Wednesday nights training session in San Marino
Postpublished at 20:42 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
HT: San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio UlsterThe combination of Conor Washington and Dion Charles has certainly worked in the first half.
Postpublished at 20:41 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
HT: San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Elsewhere, Harry Kane has netted a penalty to surpass Wayne Rooney as the man with the most goals for England.
Declan Rice and captain Kane have England 2-0 up against Italy at the break.
In Group H, Northern Ireland's group, Rasmus Hojlund has Denmark 1-0 up against Finland.
Slovenia beat Kazakhstan 2-1 in Group H's early kick-off.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesGood but we can be betterpublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
HT: San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio UlsterMichael will be happy, with the first game back there's a lot of nerves.
However, he'll be asking for more better quality - especially from his centre halves, they've emerged better in the game and have more confidence with the ball. But if they moved the ball quicker and keep in those areas and create good passes, there's more goals to be had.
There's lots of positives but can they be better, yes.
Postpublished at 20:38 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
HT: San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
When you think of a Northern Ireland shirt with #7 on the back you think of George Best or Niall McGinn.
Introducing your new number seven......centre back Eoin Toal!
That's bound to wind a few people up!
Cameron McGeehan carries the number eight shirt usually reserved for captain Steven Davis, while Isaac Price will hope #13 is lucky for him and Sean Goss takes on Stuart Dallas' #14 shirt.
Will any of the quartet make their international debuts in the second half?
Image source, Getty ImagesNI comfortable but where's the second goal?published at 20:38 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI in San MarinoNorthern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill will definitely feel his side should be more than one goal up at the break, but he'll no doubt be content enough to have a lead after that frustrating opening spell.
Charles' 24th-minute goal - his first for NI - has undoubtedly calmed the visiting team down and they have created three or four excellent opportunities to double their advantage without taking any of them.
It's difficult to think of anything that is crying out to be changed - Jordan Thompson for George Saville on the left of the midfield three perhaps? Dale Taylor to get a run up front? - but O'Neill will no doubt be reminding his players of the need to take another chance soon.
So far, so good though on O'Neill's return.
HALF-TIMEpublished at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
So far, so good in Serravale.
Dion Charles' first international goal has Northern Ireland ahead at the break.
Image source, Press EyeImage caption, Dion Charles celebrates opening the scoring for Northern Ireland
Postpublished at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Another dangerous ball comes in but a combination of Cathcart and Charles can't convert.
Northern Ireland are finishing the half well but can't get that second goal.
Postpublished at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio UlsterFantastic play again but Jamal Lewis has got to hit that! Any sort of connection and it's a goal.
CLOSE!published at 20:30 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Conor Bradley has a go from the edge of the area. he hits it well and Benedettini flies across goal to push it out for a corner.
Image source, Press EyeImage caption, San Marino's Elia Benedettini
YELLOW CARDpublished at 20:29 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Ciaron Brown is booked for the halting resulting counter attack.
CLOSE!published at 20:29 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Never thought I'd see the day when Jamal Lewis tries a Zidane turn in the penalty area, but here we go.
He should have hit it first time and his touch goes past Dion Charles.
That's a big chance wasted.
Postpublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio UlsterConor Washington sets the tone, even in the early seconds of the game he wins the ball back and really wants to drive the team forward and make things happen.
I think both wing backs have done really well first half.
Postpublished at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Actually, with the sky blue and bright yellow kits if you really squint you could be watching Ballymena United against the Welders.
That's one for all the Irish League fans out there.
Postpublished at 20:24 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Conor Bradley's neat backheel finds McNair but his cross is easily cut out.
Northern Ireland continue to knock on the sky blue door.
CLOSE!published at 20:23 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Jamal Lewis plays in across that is easily cleared.
it's clipped back in by Shea Charles and it's inches away from the outstretched boot of Dion Charles.
So close to number two.
In-form Dion settles NIpublished at 20:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2023
San Marino 0-1 Northern Ireland
Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI in San MarinoWell wasn't that just what Northern Ireland needed.
It was far too early for any real nerves to be kicking in, of course, but the opening quarter of the game had not been without a frustration or two for Michael O'Neill and his team.
But the merit of having a striker in form and scoring goals regularly was there for all to see as Dion Charles made what was a tricky finish look pretty straight forward with superb technique to get the perfect connection with the outside of his foot.
It should be comfortable from here for the visitors, shouldn't it?