Summary

  • Group H: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino (F/T)

  • Paul Smyth gives N Ireland an early lead

  • Josh Magennis doubles the advantage on 11 minutes

  • Conor McMenamin comes off the bench to score the third

  • NI beat San Marino 2-0 in their last meeting in March

  1. That's all from uspublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    That is a wrap as Northern Ireland beat San Marino 3-0 at Windsor Park to pick up their second victory in Group H.

    You can read the match report from the game here.

    We will be back on Tuesday when Northern Ireland host group leaders Slovenia.

    See you then!

    Conor McMenamin celebrates scoring for Northern IrelandImage source, Pacemaker Press
  2. 'O'Neill will be furious with McNair'published at 16:18 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Sport NI

    Michael O'Neill will be furious with Paddy McNair missing the game [against Slovenia]. As a senior player, who has been able to handle big game experiences, he will be very upset.

    You maybe have to rethink how you're going about the game on Tuesday.

  3. Smyth 'fabulous'published at 16:15 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Sport NI

    I don't think there's anybody that has a bad word to say about Smyth because of his worth ethic, his attitude, the way he applies himself in training and obviously the way he has applied himself today, he was fabulous.

  4. 'Plenty of positives'published at 16:12 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Sport NI

    Sometimes when you're in a game like this and the opposition are so bad you tend to draw on negatives rather than positives.

    The positives are you win a game 3-0, Magennis scores, Smyth scores and McMenamin scores. That's the big positive. I think they will be the three that start the next game.

  5. 'Start with Smyth on Tuesday'published at 16:09 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

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

    I think you have to start with Smyth on Tuesday, he was absolutely excellent.

    Taylor had a great game, the only thing is that the opposition is going to be stronger and better and Michael will have to have a look at that, but for his first start Taylor did really well.

  6. 'We have to be more clinical'published at 16:07 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT : Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

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

    I think we have to be better, we have to be more clinical against teams like this. Considering we're struggling for goals, we could have racked up six goals and that would have been good for confidence, but I don't think we have enough experience in the team to do that.

    They spent too much time on the ball, there was too much emphasis on possession and not taking their chances in the final third. That will come when the lads get more experienced and become better players, but they're never going to have an easier game.

    I don't think Michael has answered the question of who starts upfront.

  7. 'I was playing with a smile on my face' - Smythpublished at 16:06 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    Paul Smyth speaking on Viaplay after the game: "I was just playing with a smile on my face and enjoying it. The whole team played really well and we are delighted to get the win.

    "The crowd were brilliant today, I think they expected us to win, but they pushed us on to get the goals. Hopefully they are the same on Tuesday".

  8. Super Macpublished at 16:03 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    A moment to savour for Conor McMenamin, who scored a late third for Northern Ireland with a close range finish for his first goal for his country.

    Conor McMenaminImage source, Pacemaker Press
  9. 'NI will be slightly disappointed they didn't perform better'published at 15:59 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    FT: Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

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

    The last ten minutes Northern Ireland played slightly better, there were more balls going into the box, but, I think overall, they'll be slightly disappointed that they haven't preformed better.

  10. FULL-TIMEpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    Northern Ireland get back to winning ways with a routine win at Windsor Park.

    It is only their second victory in the group, and their first home win since September 2022.

    Paul Smyth, who was superb for Northern Ireland in the first half, opened the scoring with a fine finish, before Josh Magennis added a second.

    Substitute Conor McMenamin scored a late third soon after his introduction to wrap up the victory.

    Josh Magennis celebrates scoringImage source, Pacemaker Press
  11. YELLOW CARDpublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    A late blow for Northern Ireland as Paddy McNair picks up a yellow card which will rule him out of Tuesday's game against Slovenia.

  12. CLOSE!published at 15:55 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    Isaac Price is frustrated with himself as he squanders a good chance to score.

    The substitute latched onto a cross into the box and took a few touches before blazing over the crossbar from close range.

    He should really have hit the target there.

  13. Postpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    There will be four minutes of additional time in the game with Northern Ireland still pressing for another goal.

  14. That didn't take long!published at 15:48 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino

    Rebecca Keegan
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    There it is!

    An instant impact from the substitute Conor McMenamin.

    Northern Ireland will be glad to see that hit the back of the net after San Marino were starting to come into the game.

  15. goal

    GOAL Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marinopublished at 15:43 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Conor McMenamin (81 mins)

    Conor McMenamin has his first international goal for Northern Ireland!

    Conor Washington burst into the box before stinging the palms of Elia Benedettini with a fierce volley.

    The ball then broke to McMenamin, who sorted his feet out before squeezing home Northern Ireland's third to secure all three points.

    It was an immediate impact from the St Mirren winger, who had been on the pitch for less than two minutes before scoring.

    Northern Ireland goalImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland goal

  16. San Marino 'working very hard'published at 15:42 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 2-0 San Marino

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

    You have to hand it to San Marino, they are working very hard.

    They haven't thrown the towel in, everyone is trying to close down as best they can.

  17. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 2-0 San Marino

    Michael O'Neill also opts to make two more changes.

    Brodie Spencer takes Jamal Lewis' place.

    Dale Taylor, who had a goal disallowed in the first half, makes way for Conor McMenamin, who will be keen to continue his impressive performances in a green shirt.

  18. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 2-0 San Marino

    Another change for San Marino, as Lorenzo Capicchioni departs to be replaced by Luca Ceccaroli.

  19. Postpublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 2-0 San Marino

    Isaac Price has been in the thick of the action since his introduction from the bench, clipping in a delightful ball which just evades Dale Taylor.

    He then sees a looping deflected effort from inside the area land in Elia Benedettini's arms.

  20. CLOSE!published at 15:31 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 2-0 San Marino

    Two substitutes Isaac Price and Callum Marshall almost made an instant impact.

    Price drove forward into the area before seeing his low shot beaten away by Elia Benedettini.

    The rebound falls to Marshall, whose diving header is also saved by the goalkeeper.

    A glimpse of what those two youngsters can do.