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. Team newspublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Here's a reminder of your team news.

    The headline news for Northern Ireland is that Eoin Toal and Brad Lyons have been handed their debuts by Michael O'Neill.

    Bailey Peacock-Farrell returns in goal, while Daniel Ballard is injured and Paddy McNair is suspended.

    It's a strong Slovenia team as they look to boost their Euro 2024 qualification hopes. Jan Oblak is a household name and watch out for Benjamin Sesko - he's a superstar in the making.

    Northern IrelandImage source, Inpho
    SloveniaImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'We have to build for the future'published at 19:41 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Warren Feeney
    Former Northern Ireland striker on BBC Radio Ulster

    The group hasn't been great but we have to build for the future now and I wouldn't be surprised if there will be a couple that will get on tonight and get more minutes under their belt going forward and that can only be better for us in the end.

  3. Postpublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Jonny Evans leads out Northern Ireland to the famous chants of 'Green and White Army!'.

    The atmosphere is building nicely ahead of kick-off.

    It's time for the anthems.

  4. Shea leading the waypublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Mark Sterling
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    Southampton teenager Shea Charles is now the only player in the Northern Ireland squad to have started all eight Euro 2024 qualifiers.

    He shared that status with goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and the experienced Paddy McNair ahead of Saturday's visit of San Marino, but Peacock-Farrell was left out against the minnows and McNair is suspended tonight after picking up a late booking.

    Charles, 19, will be winning his 12th cap tonight and it shows just how strong an impression he has made in international football since making his NI debut at home to Greece last June.

    Having come through the ranks at Man City, the midfielder - who can also play at the back - made the move to the Saints in the summer and has made a good start to life in the Championship, starting six matches and coming off the bench in another four.

    He's long been heralded as a massive hope for Northern Ireland and looks set to be a major player for years to come.

    Shea CharlesImage source, Press Eye
  5. Postpublished at 19:38 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    The teams are in the tunnel and ready to walk out at Windsor Park.

    Jonny Evans is having a lovely little chat with the mascot, which should make that kid's night.

  6. The next superstar?published at 19:37 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Benjamin SeskoImage source, Getty Images

    You know the way you get regens in Football Manager or Fifa? That's basically what has happened with Benjamin Sesko.

    Following the trajectory of Erling Haaland, the Red Bull production line has worked again with their latest talent.

    Like Haaland, Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko moved from RB Salzburg to RB Leipzig and he's now firing the goals in for both club in country.

    He has eight goals in his last 11 internationals, he scored twice in 12 minutes against Finland and five goal involvements in his last two qualifiers.

    He's only 20 years of age. Scary.

  7. Northern Ireland fans will always back you - Evanspublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Northern Ireland captain Jonny Evans says he reminds the young players in the international squad that they will always receive strong backing from the Windsor Park fans.

    Media caption,

    Northern Ireland fans will always back you - Jonny Evans

  8. Postpublished at 19:36 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Mark Sterling
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    The sprinklers are on the Windsor Park pitch.

    Has it been that dry in Belfast recently?

    Less than 10 minutes until kick-off and it's fair to say the atmosphere inside the south Belfast stadium is yet to be switched on.

  9. Evans 'thought about retiring last season'published at 19:34 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    NI Legend Pat Jennings presents Jonny Evans with his 100th International CapImage source, Inpho
    Image caption,

    NI Legend Pat Jennings presents Jonny Evans with his 100th International Cap

    Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has revealed there were times last season when he feared he would have to retire from football.

    Evans, 35, who will captain Northern Ireland against Slovenia on Tuesday, returned to Old Trafford in the summer.

    That followed an injury-hit campaign with Leicester City that ended with relegation from the Premier League.

    "No, definitely [not]," Evans said when asked if he could have envisaged such a positive turnaround in his career.

    "I think I went through a stage last year where you start thinking 'maybe this is it coming to an end'.

    "So there is no doubt that I did have those thoughts at times. I couldn't get over the injuries and, every time I came back, I was breaking down.

    Read more here.

  10. Will they or won't they?published at 19:31 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Mark Sterling
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    The Irish FA won't like it, but there will be a lot of attention on The Kop tonight to see if the songs against Casement Park that were heard on Saturday are repeated.

    It seems a significant section of the Green And White Army are opposed to the west Belfast GAA ground being named as the Northern Ireland stadium to host games in Euro 2028.

    It didn't take long for the song to first be heard in The Kop against San Marino and a lot of fans throughout the rest of the stadium were happy to join in.

    One to keep the ears - and eyes - on.

  11. NI fans must accept Casement Park 'reality' over Euro 2028 - O'Neillpublished at 19:29 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'NeillImage source, Inpho
    Image caption,

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill

    Michael O'Neill says Northern Ireland fans are going to have to "accept" their team playing at Casement Park if Euro 2028 qualification is achieved.

    Some Northern Ireland fans had banners critical of the Casement games plan at Saturday's San Marino match while there were also a number of chants.

    The gaelic games ground - if rebuilt as planned - will be Northern Ireland's host venue at the 2028 tournament.

    "At this minute in time, that's the option we have," said O'Neill.

    "We have to take everyone's view into consideration of course but the reality is this is the option that we have to take part in this event

    "I think that [reality] has to take precedence. It's a sporting event after all."

    Read more here.

  12. BBC Coveragepublished at 19:28 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    BBC Sounds

    You can listen to tonight's game live on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster from 19:30 BST.

    Joel Taggart is on presenting duties and he will be joined by Keith Gillespie and Warren Feeney.

    As ever, Michael McNamee and former Northern Ireland intentional John O'Neill are on commentary from Windsor Park.

  13. Two huge calls from O'Neillpublished at 19:26 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Mark Sterling
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    Well, did anyone predict two debutants in the Northern Ireland starting line-up tonight?

    Manager Michael O'Neill obviously had a huge call to make in the centre of his defence with Dan Ballard injured and Paddy McNair suspended.

    He could have moved Trai Hume or Shea Charles in alongside captain Jonny Evans, but instead has opted to give Bolton Wanderers' Eoin Toal, 24, his debut. It could be a big test for the former Derry City man against Slovenia's in-form hot prospect Benjamin Sesko.

    And in midfield, Kilmarnock's Brad Lyons has got the shout ahead of the likes of George Saville and Isaac Price. It's a call that will no doubt raise a few eyebrows when the Green and White Army hear the team.

    The front three of Josh Magennis, Paul Smyth - who both scored - and Dale Taylor clearly did enough in Saturday's 3-0 win over San Marino to all be selected from the start again tonight.

  14. Team news - Debuts for Toal and Lyonspublished at 19:24 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Northern Ireland

    The big news from Windsor Park is Michael O'Neill has handed debuts to Eoin Toal and Brad Lyons.

    Bolton centre back Toal steps in for the injured Daniel Ballard and Kilmarnock midfielder Lyons, who has had a strong tart to the season, is in for the suspended Paddy McNair.

    There's also a change between the sticks as Bailey Peacock-Farrell starts in place of Conor Hazard.

    Look out for young Michael Forbes on the bench, who has been drafted into the squad form the Under-21s after Ballard's injury.

    Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell, Hume, Evans (c), Toal, Lewis, Lyons, Thompson, S Charles, Smyth, Taylor, Magennis.

    Subs: Hazard, Southwood, Saville, McMenamin, Washington, D Charles, Kennedy, Price, Marshall, Forbes, Lan, Spencer.

  15. Postpublished at 19:22 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Michael ForbesImage source, Getty Images

    Injuries have not been Michael O'Neill's friend in this campaign and there's been a further blow as defender Daniel Ballard, who wore the captain's armband for the first time against San Marino, has been ruled out with a calf injury.

    O'Neill has had to call upon youth once again, and 19-year-old and West Ham defender Michael Forbes has been drafted into the squad for tonight's game.

  16. How things standpublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Here's how things are shaping up in Group H before kick-off this evening.

    Kazakhstan have been the masters of a late winner and they were at it again in Helsinki with a 2-1 win over Finland.

    That puts a lot of pressure on Denmark (who should, in theory, hammer San Marino) and Slovenia.

    Group HImage source, BBC Sport
  17. Super Smythpublished at 19:18 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Paul SmythImage source, Press Eye

    Northern Ireland forward Paul Smyth said he "couldn't have asked for a better day" after scoring the opener as they defeated San Marino 3-0 at Windsor Park on Saturday.

    Smyth scored on his debut for Northern Ireland in March 2018, but was forced to wait five years to make his first start for his country.

    The 26-year-old scored, had another effort ruled out and assisted as he made a big impression against San Marino.

    "I was buzzing to make my first start, I wanted to make an impact," he added.

    "I was delighted all my family were there to see me score. I wanted to show that I was capable of playing at this level and I did that."

    Smyth broke the deadlock with just five minutes on the clock with a well-taken volley from Jamal Lewis' cross.

  18. Back to winning wayspublished at 19:16 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Northern Ireland v Slovenia (19:45 BST)

    Conor McMenamin celebratesImage source, Press Eye

    Northern Ireland brought a run of five consecutive Euro 2024 qualifier defeats to an end thanks to a comfortable 3-0 victory over San Marino in Belfast.

    The hosts made a blistering start with Paul Smyth volleying in the opener before Josh Magennis hit the bottom corner on 11 minutes.

    Conor McMenamin slotted home his first international goal to seal the win.

    It completed a Group H double over the minnows but Northern Ireland's hopes of making the finals are over.

    Wins for Slovenia and Denmark later on Saturday confirmed their failure to qualify for the tournament in Germany next year.

    Long-term Injuries to key players, including Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas, have been a blow for Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill while experienced defender Craig Cathcart retired last month.

  19. Elsewhere...published at 19:13 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Jude bellingham and Trent Alexander ArnoldImage source, Getty Images

    England and Scotland are also in action this evening.

    England can put one foot in the Euro 2024 finals with a win over Italy at Wembley this evening.

    Scotland, of course, qualified for the Euros on Sunday without kicking a ball. They play the French in a friendly this evening at the Stade de France.

    We'll being you updates from both games, so you won't miss a thing.

    Kylian MbappeImage source, Getty Images
  20. Serbia leave it late to down NI's U21spublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 17 October 2023

    Charlie AllenImage source, Press Eye

    A late goal from Milos Pantovic gave Serbia Under-21s a 2-1 win over Northern Ireland in their Euro 2025 qualifier at Mourneview Park on Monday.

    Serbia skipper Vladimir Lucic gave his side a 1-0 lead with a superb strike, evading his marker before tucking the ball past Stephen McMullan.

    Ciaran McGuckin levelled after the break with a penalty after Marko Lazetic barged into Tommy Fogarty.

    Pantovic pounced on a loose ball inside the box and tapped in the winner.

    After the moment of Northern Irish indecision, the ball appeared to hit the goalscorer's hand as it bounced up before he slotted home, but no handball was awarded.