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. The teams are outpublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino

    Rebecca Keegan
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    The teams are out and a packed stadium is buzzing with anticipation.

    Can Northern Ireland give the fans the result they are all hoping for?

    The teams are out at Windsor ParkImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    The teams are out at Windsor Park

  2. 'It's an opportunity to win a game'published at 13:58 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino (14:00 BST)

    Jim Magilton
    Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Sport NI

    Expectations can sometimes weigh heavily on you but with this group, as Michael has said constantly through this, they're young players and a lot of them are being blooded into international football.

    But this is one where they have to go out and express themselves and really enjoy it and it's an opportunity to win a game.

    If we don't win today, we may as well pack up and go home. That's the bottom line.

  3. Postpublished at 13:57 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino

    A lovely moment for Jonny Evans before kick-off as he receives his 100th cap from legendary Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings.

    Jonny Evans and Pat JenningsImage source, Pacemaker Press
  4. Postpublished at 13:54 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino

    The teams are on the pitch ahead of kick-off at a sold out Windsor Park. Time for the anthems.

    Northern Ireland fansImage source, Pacemaker Press
  5. Price on swapping Everton for Belgiumpublished at 13:54 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino (14:00 BST)

    It can be tricky for a young player to flee any Premier League nest, but Isaac Price is thriving after leaving Everton - the club he joined at the age of seven.

    After 13 years at Goodison Park, Price took the leap to Belgium to join Standard Liege in the summer window and the midfielder is feeling the benefits.

    In his first proper steps in senior football, the 20-year-old endeared himself to his new support with a 90th-minute winner against Club Brugge.

    That goal came after his first strike at international level, in September's defeat in Slovenia. After making his debut in March against San Marino, those goals for club and country were a sign of Price's development as he strides into first-team football.

    "It's good. It's a lot different to what it was in England," said Price on how he is finding life in Belgium.

    "I'm having to get used to living on my own and making my own food.

    "The football is great. It is a lot different to England in terms of how they play and stuff but I feel like I have adapted.

    "It's a great club with great fans and I'm enjoying it."

    Read more of what Price had to say here.

    Northern Ireland's Isaac PriceImage source, Presseye
    Image caption,

    Isaac price made the move from Everton to Standard Liege

  6. 'Need a confidence builder'published at 13:52 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino (14:00 BST)

    Warren Feeney
    Former Northern Ireland striker on BBC Radio Ulster

    No disrespect to San Marino, but this is one they need to build on for confidence, really put them to the sword.

  7. Roberto di Maio on becoming oldest debutant aged 40published at 13:49 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino

    Life begins at 40, the saying goes.

    While that's usually not the case in professional football, San Marino defender Roberto di Maio is still going strong and enjoying new experiences.

    When he started their Euro 2024 qualifier against Northern Ireland in March, he became the oldest man to make his senior international debut in Uefa competition aged 40 years and 193 days.

    Read more here

    Roberto di Maio has been part of a San Marino defence that has conceded 21 goals in six Euro 2024 qualifiersImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Roberto di Maio has been part of a San Marino defence that has conceded 21 goals in six Euro 2024 qualifiers

  8. 'Desperately need a win'published at 13:48 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino (14:00 BST)

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

    We desperately need a win. I think the manager has done well with the changes, freshening the team up a little bit.

    I think Smyth deserves his place coming in, when he has come off the bench the last couple of games he has impressed.

  9. Team newspublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino (14:00 BST)

    Michael O'Neill makes six changes to the side that were defeated 1-0 by Kazakhstan in September.

    Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard replaces Bailey Peacock-Farrell between the sticks.

    Jamal Lewis comes in, with George Saville named amongst the substitutes. Jordan Thompson replaces the injured Alistair McCann in midfield.

    The front three which started in Astana all drop to the bench, with Paul Smyth, Josh Magennis and Dale Taylor preferred to Matthew Kennedy, Conor Washington and Conor McMenamin.

    Northern Ireland: Hazard, Hume, Evans, Ballard, Lewis, McNair, Thompson, S Charles, Smyth, Taylor, Magennis.

    Substitutes: Peacock-Farrell, Southwood, Saville, McMenamin, Washington, D Charles, Kennedy, Price, Marshall, Lyons, Spencer, Lane.

    San Marino: Benedettini, Franciosi, Rossi, Di Maio, Fabbri, Battistini, Lazzari, Capicchioni, Golinucci, Vitaioli, Nanni.

    Substitutes: Simoncini, Benedettini, D'Addario, Cevoli, Golinucci, Tomassini, Ceccaroli, Zafferani, Magi, Pancotti, Lunadei, Mularoni.

    Northern IrelandImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland

  10. Fan excitementpublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino

    Rebecca Keegan
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    There's plenty of excitement around this Euro qualifier with fans arriving early to soak up the atmosphere.

    Particularly for fans Edie-may and Ellen who are here at Windsor Park for the first time!

    Edie-may is accompanied by Laura and Gayle to her first match.Image source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Edie-may is accompanied by Laura and Gayle to her first match.

    Ellen at Windsor Park for the first time with Joshua and AndrewImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Ellen at Windsor Park for the first time with Joshua and Andrew

    Young fan TommyImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Young fan Tommy

  11. O'Neill has 'one eye' on Euro 2028 campaignpublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino (14:00 BST)

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill admits he has "one eye" on Euro 2028 as he looks to develop his young squad on the international stage.

    The UK and Ireland won the bid to host Euro 2028 on Tuesday, with Casement Park in Belfast set to host games.

    O'Neill is in his second stint as Northern Ireland manager and is contracted to 2028.

    "We have to build a team for the 2026 [World Cup] campaign but also with one eye on 2028," O'Neill said.

    Read more of what O'Neill had to say here.

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O;NeillImage source, Presseye
    Image caption,

    Michael O'Neill is in his second spell in charge of Northern Ireland

  12. Calm before the stormpublished at 13:36 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino (14:00 BST)

    Rebecca Keegan
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    A glorious rainbow has appeared in the sky over Windsor Park ahead of today's match.

    A good omen?

    Windsor ParkImage source, BBC Sport
  13. 'We have to beat San Marino, simple as that' - Michael O'Neillpublished at 13:32 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has said his team simply have to beat San Marino in Saturday's Euro 2024 qualifier at Windsor Park.

    Northern Ireland go into the game against the world's lowest-ranked team having lost their past five qualifiers.

    NI began their Group H campaign with a 2-0 win away to San Marino in March thanks to two Dion Charles goals.

    "Yes, look, we have to win the game," O'Neill said when asked if only a victory would be good enough.

    Read more here

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'NeillImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill

  14. NI hoping for long-awaited home winpublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 14 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v San Marino (14:00 BST)

    Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of Northern Ireland's Euro 2024 qualifier against San Marino in Windsor Park.

    Both sides are out of contention for qualifying for next year's finals in Germany, but Northern Ireland will view this as a must-win game, with their only victory in qualifying so far coming against today's visitors in June.

    A sell-out crowd is expected at Windsor Park and the fans will be hoping for a much needed win after a disappointing September international window.

    We will keep you up to date with all the action in south Belfast, thanks for joining us - enjoy!

    Isaac PriceImage source, gett