Perfect start to 2026 World Cup qualifiers as Northern Ireland beat Luxembourg 3-1
Northern Ireland got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to the perfect start as they beat Luxembourg 3-1.
Jamie Reid gave Michael O’Neill’s men the perfect start in Luxembourg as he reacted quickest to slam home the loose ball after Anthony Moris had saved Isaac Price’s seventh minute penalty.
But it was the hosts who got a grip of the game after that and they deservedly drew themselves level on the half hour as live wire Aiman Dardari cut through the visitors’ rearguard before drilling home the finish.
To their credit, and with O’Neill’s half-time words still ringing in their ears, they regained the lead 20 seconds after the restart thanks to Shea Charles’ first international goal.
And Justin Devenny followed his teammate as he added a third after Seid Korać had been sent off.
Here are our player ratings from the Stade de Luxembourg:
Peacock-Farrell 6
Didn’t have a lot to do on the night
Toal 7
Solid performance at the back once more
McNair 7
Another key showing from the experienced defender
Hume 7
The captain showed his worth once more at the back
Devenny 8
Excellent down the left fully deserved his goal
Bradley 7
Real threat down the right-hand side as usual
McCann 7
Worked hard in centre midfield, good foil for Charles
S Charles 7
Scored at a crucial time and drove the team on
Galbraith 7
Worked hard all night covered a lot of grass
Price 7
Unlucky not grab another goal as his penalty was saved
Reid 7
Lead the line well and took his goal brilliantly
Subs: McConville 6 [for Toal, 77]. Saville 6 [for McNair, 84], Marshall 6 [for Reid, 68], D Charles 6 [for Price, 84], Donley 6 [for Bradley, 76].
Not Used: Johnson, Devlin, McDonnell, Hale, Taylor.
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