Summary

  • Group H: Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland (FT)

  1. Postpublished at 21:13 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland

    We're nearly at the 70-minute mark and the game has had its first real lull in terms of intensity and tempo.

    Both sides have kept the ball for spells but we've had a few minutes without a chance or an attack of note.

  2. The back three is backpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    Northern Ireland have gone to a back three again by the looks of it.

  3. Postpublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland

    Ali McCann is on in the Northern Ireland midfield for Isaac Price.

    Let's see if his strong running from midfield can have an impact on the game.

  4. Postpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland

    He ran riot in the first half but Northern Ireland just can't get Conor McMenamin into the game since the break.

  5. Postpublished at 21:04 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland

    Remember when a Michael O'Neill Northern Ireland side was built on the foundation of a solid defence?

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'NeillImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill

  6. O'Neill puts it bluntly...published at 21:03 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    The art of defending is gone.

  7. 'Terrible, terrible defending'published at 21:03 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    Another terrible,terrible piece of defending.

    Hume is down in front of us we are so close that we can see him and he keeps shaking his head. He knows he should have done better.

  8. goal

    GOAL - Slovenia 4-2 Northern Irelandpublished at 20:59 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Andraz Sporar 56 minutes

    This match has been non-stop.

    Slovenia go up the other end and score another one, again through striker Andraz Sporar.

    The through ball was nice but Northern Ireland's defence was again caught out of shape and Sporar calmly rounded keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell before slotting into an empty net.

    Michael O'Neill will be despairing at how his side have defended tonight.

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern IrelandImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Slovenia 4-2 Northern Ireland

  9. Postpublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-2 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    Jonny doesn't get the first shot off then he got it on his right foot and it takes an awful deflection, but we'll take it!

  10. Postpublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-2 Northern Ireland

    Andy Gray
    BBC Sport NI in Ljubljana

    I didn't realise Jonny Evans was a striker. That was brilliant footwork!

    Jonny Evans in action for Northern IrelandImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Jonny Evans in action for Northern Ireland

  11. goal

    GOAL - Slovenia 3-2 Northern Irelandpublished at 20:56 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Jonny Evans 53 mins

    Northern Ireland have pulled a goal back - and it's Jonny Evans who has scored it!

    You can't keep Manchester United's new signing out of the news at the minute.

    His touch to control the ball and bring it down was outstanding and he then stepped inside before his deflected shot found the net.

    Slovenia 3-2 Northern IrelandImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Slovenia 3-2 Northern Ireland

  12. Postpublished at 20:55 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    I think Northern Ireland have gone to a back four of McNair, Cathcart, Evans and Hume.

  13. HITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 20:55 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland

    Massive let-off for Northern Ireland!

    Superb play down the left by Slovenia and excellent skill by Benjamin Sesko leads to a chance for Anraz Sporar, but his fiercely-struck shot crashes back off the crossbar.

  14. Postpublished at 20:50 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland

    Keith Gillespie
    Former Northern Ireland winger on BBC Radio Ulster

    Matty Kennedy off is surprising - maybe Michael has looked at the third goal but I think it's harsh on him.

  15. Magennis and Washington onpublished at 20:50 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland

    Michael O'Neill has sent on Conor Washington and Josh Magennis in place of Dion Charles and Matty Kennedy.

    It looks like Washington will play on the left with Magennis through the middle.

  16. Here we gopublished at 20:49 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland

    The second half is underway.

    Can Northern Ireland play their way back into this game?

  17. McMenamin 'absolutely outstanding'published at 20:45 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland (HT)

    Warren Feeney
    Former Northern Ireland striker on BBC Radio Ulster

    Conor McMenamin has been absolutely outstanding tonight, he's a threat. They don't know weather to stick or twist and he's going on the outside and he's going on the inside.

    The next goal after half-time is going to be massive and let's hope it's for us.

  18. 'Slovenia have been better defensively'published at 20:38 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland (HT)

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    Going forward Northern Ireland could have scored two, maybe three, but defensively they have been better than us and that's what has decided the 3-1 scoreline.

  19. 'Inexperience hurting Northern Ireland'published at 20:36 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland (HT)

    John O'Neill
    Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

    I think the inexperience that we have throughout the team is hurting us a little bit but to be honest you have to bite the bullet here. This is what we're going to have going forward, but in time these players will get better.

    Northern Ireland players pictured after Slovenia scoreImage source, Press Eye
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland players pictured after Slovenia score

  20. HALF-TIMEpublished at 20:32 British Summer Time 7 September 2023

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland

    An action-packed first half comes to an end and the scoreline does not read well for the visitors as Slovenia lead Northern Ireland 3-1.

    The hosts took an early lead through Andraz Sporar before Isaac Price equalised soon after for the visitors.

    Petar Stojanovic restored Slovenia's lead on 17 minutes with Benjamin Sesko making it three soon before the break.

    It's probably harsh on Northern Ireland, who have been dangerous in attack but have looked shaky at the back.

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern IrelandImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Slovenia 3-1 Northern Ireland