World Cup Qualifying: Northern Ireland Through To Play-Offs Despite Defeat In Norway (Video)

Alan Duffy

8th, October 2017

1 Comment

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Northern Ireland ended their World Cup qualification campaign with a 1-0 defeat away to Norway.

However, after Scotland’s Group F draw in Slovenia earlier in the day, Michael O’Neill’s side were already assured of a play-off place.

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The only goal of the game came on 71 minutes, with Chris Brunt’s fluffed goal-line clearance flying into his own net after ‘keeper Michael McGovern got a hand to Stefan Johansen’s cross.

The visitors came close to leveling the scores, with Stuart Dallas, Conor McLaughlin and George Saville all going close.

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Norway almost made it 2-0 at the death, only for Alexander Soderlund’s shot to be harshly ruled out for offside.

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Despite the result, Michael O’Neill’s charges finish the campaign as one of the best eight runners-up who qualify for the play-offs.

Alas, the defeat against Norway may well have scuppered their hopes of being one of the seeded sides ahead of the draw on October 17.

Posted in International football, Videos, World Cup

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1 Comment

  1. Jarren says:

    Way to go, dudes.

    I was like, soooo banking on a win for us, and you go and score an own goal?

    …wind yer necks in.

    Shit just got real. Portugal or Italy are possibilities.

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