Summary

  • Group H: Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia (result)

  • Stunning Cerin free-kick gives Slovenia the win

  • Slovenia beat Northern Ireland 4-2 in Ljubljana in September

  • N Ireland sit fifth in group with two wins and six defeats

  • Slovenia lead the group with six wins and a draw from eight games

  • Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to BBC Radio Ulster commentary

  1. Postpublished at 20:23 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    It's headed clear as far as Jamal Lewis, who is forced back with few options in green shirts for him.

    Have to say, this has been Lewis' best showing for Northern Ireland in a good while. He's been bright.

  2. YELLOW CARDpublished at 20:22 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Elsnik is booked after he brings down Brad Lyons, who was charging forward down the right.

    A good chance to get the ball into the mixer here.

  3. 'Not quick enough'published at 20:21 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

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

    We're not getting off the mark quick enough to the second balls. We need to give ourselves a chance.

  4. YELLOW CARDpublished at 20:20 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    VAR waves any appeals away.

    Just a foul from the striker.

  5. VAR

    Video Assistant Refereepublished at 20:19 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northenr Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Jonny Evans was caught by Andraz Sporar and it's being checked for possible foul play.

    This is a busy few minutes for VAR!

  6. DISALLOWED GOALpublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 17 October 2023
    Breaking

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    NO GOAL!

    Sesko had strayed offside and it's chalked off.

    That was a lucky escape after a bit of a mess in defence.

    Now the crowd are in full voice.

  7. VAR

    Video Assistant Refereepublished at 20:17 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Hang on, hang on!

  8. goal

    GOAL - Northern Ireland 0-2 Sloveniapublished at 20:16 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Benjamin Sesko (31 mins)

    It's a bit early for Christmas presents but that is gift-wrapped for Sesko to fire home form six yards!

    There's a poor touch from Eoin Toal, which takes it past Jonny Evans and Sesko has all the time in the world to tap in.

    Disaster!

  9. What about the NI debutants?published at 20:15 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Mark Sterling
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    Eoin Toal has looked very composed during his first 30 minutes of international footballer.

    The Bolton Wanderers centre-half has had some quality touches, taking his time on the ball and playing it out well.

    Brad Lyons has worked hard on the right side of the home side's three-man midfield but he has not yet been able to get on the ball much.

  10. 'Very little chances'published at 20:13 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

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

    Neither side have dominated that much. Outside of that free-kick there has been very little chances. I'd rather see Northern Ireland hit the front first and try and play in the last third.

  11. Postpublished at 20:13 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Trai Hume is penalised for pushing Janza, and you don't need to be a lip reader to see what the Sunderland man thinks of that decision.

  12. Postpublished at 20:11 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    This time Sesko gets a better connection on the ball to head it away, and Charles gives away a free-kick in the corner.

  13. 'Slovenia hit the front quickly'published at 20:10 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

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

    Watching the highlights of the game that Slovenia played on Saturday, it's pretty noticeable how often they hit the front men as early and as quickly as they can. They took their goals well with some good finishing.

  14. CLOSE!published at 20:10 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Shea Charles whips it in and Magennis nearly gets his head on it.

    That almost caught out Benjamin Sesko, who was inches away from a world-class finish into his own net.

    Another corner.

  15. Postpublished at 20:09 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Jamal Lewis wins a corner after a surging run down the left.

    Get the big men up!

  16. Postpublished at 20:07 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    The Slovenian kit is lovely, with the beautiful mountains that surround Ljubljana running down the middle of the strip.

    Give me the Mournes any day, though.

    Slovenia KitImage source, pacemaker
  17. Postpublished at 20:06 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Slovenia are now knocking the ball about at the back as they look to half to take the sting out of Northern Ireland's momentum.

  18. CLOSE!published at 20:03 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    A throw in half cleared to the edge of the area and Jamal Lewis is there...but he can only scuff it wide on his weaker right foot.

    Oblak had it covered, but that was a half chance.

  19. That one sounds familiarpublished at 20:03 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Mark Sterling
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    The travelling Slovenia fans in the corner between the North and East Stands have been very vocal.

    They keep singing a song that sounds very like the old Keith Gillespie chant that used to ring out around Windsor Park.

    It can't be, I mean why would it? But it sounds freakishly like it.

    Keith is here working for BBC Radio Ulster, mind you...

  20. Postpublished at 20:03 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia

    Bijol produced a big tackle to stop Smyth racing in again down the wing. He's so quick.

    This is much better from Northern Ireland.