Northern Ireland 2-1 Belarus: Late Josh Magennis strike sees Michael O’Neill’s men go top of Euro 2020 qualifying group

Northern Ireland 2-1 Belarus: Late Josh Magennis strike sees Michael O’Neill’s men go top of Euro 2020 qualifying group
Josh Magennis’ late goal ensured Northern Ireland continued their 100 per cent start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Belarus at Windsor Park.Jonny Evans nodded Michael O’Neill’s men in front after half an hour but Ihar Stasevich’s deflected effort pegged them back.4

Northern Ireland are top of Group C – a group that contains Germany and the Netherlands

It looked like it was going to be a frustrating night for the Green and White Army but substitute Magennis fired home on 87 minutes to secure the three points.Northern Ireland, who beat Estonia 2-0 in the first group match, are top of Group C after Germany claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in Amsterdam.Belarus arrived in Belfast on the back of a 4-0 thrashing by the Dutch on Thursday, and Northern Ireland were hoping for easy pickings.But after coach Igor Kruishenko made five changes, including the restoration of 37-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Aleksandr Hleb to midfield, they would prove stubborn opposition to break down. After a slow and often scrappy start, Paddy McNair produced Northern Ireland’s first chance after 20 minutes, turning his man and cutting inside before hitting a rising shot which Andrei Klimovich clawed to safety.Just before the half-hour, Kyle Lafferty hit an optimistic raking shot from distance but after it bounced awkwardly for Klimovich, Northern Ireland would make the resulting corner pay.They took it short, with Niall McGinn’s corner flicked on by Steven Davis for an unmarked Evans to head home.But the celebrations lasted less than three minutes before Belarus hit back. As the Northern Ireland defenders stood off, Stasevich hit a shot from the edge of the area which deflected off Stuart Dallas to loop up and over Bailey Peacock-Farrell.4

Belarus stifled Northern Ireland well after getting the equaliser

Northern Ireland sought a response, but though Dallas’ long throw fell for George Saville inside the goal area, the angle was tight and the Middlesbrough man shot straight at Klimovich.Jordan Jones, having done well to keep in an over-hit pass, then played a dangerous ball in but Lafferty stood flat-footed as it whistled across the face of goal, keeping it all square at the break.Lafferty’s blushes were spared by the assistant’s flag four minutes into the second half, when he really should have nudged home McNair’s cross from point-blank range.McNair was next to try his luck when the ball rolled out invitingly for him in the 58th minute, but Mikhail Sivakov stood strong to repel the shot.4

The game looked all set for a draw as Northern Ireland huffed and puffed on Belarus

Northern Ireland continued to build pressure, forcing Belarus further and further back.Lafferty tried a looping shot with his back to goal but could not keep it down before Dallas surged into the box but saw his low cross – looking for Lafferty – cut out for a corner.Lafferty spurned another chance in the 77th minute as Lewis’ cross seemed to skim off the top of his head with the goal gaping, with the Rangers striker guilty of not attacking the ball.It would prove his last involvement as he was swiftly replaced by Liam Boyce.O’Neill also threw on Shane Ferguson with five minutes to go, with Northern Ireland continuing to pour forward.They got their reward three minutes from time with one of the best moves of the game.4

Magennis got the winning goal three minutes before the end of the 90

Magennis started it by bringing down a long ball and spreading it wide for Dallas, who in turn fed McNair. His low cross was perfectly placed for Magennis to turn it home with a simple finish.Belarus responded with a late burst of pressure, requiring Peacock-Farrell to make a close-range save from Pavel Nekhaychik, but Northern Ireland hung on for victory to the delight of Windsor Park.

---

Paul Pogba, three clubs interested in the Man Utd star: Juve, PSG and Real . Paul Pogba in the sights of Real Madrid. In addition to Juventus, "Le10Sport" (news reported also by the Italian press
Transfer news live: Man United 'stunning £84m bid' for Serie

---

Virgil van Dijk will officially join the Liverpool squad on Monday after the Reds shelled out £75million to sign him from Southampton. But how did the Dutchman reach this stage of his career?

---

How does the Premier League table compare to the expected goal stats? on to retain their Premier League crown, and on this form only a fool would bet against them. and Wenger would look
Premier League form guide - SoccerSTATS.com

---

Sheffield United went temporarily second in the Championship after they beat 10-man Rotherham in an early kick-off at Bramall Lane. They may only stay there for a few hours, until Leeds United
Sheffield United 2-0 Rotherham United: Blades beat 10-man

---

Porto vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Full commentary and free stream for Champions League clash All you need to know to tune into the action in Portugal By Marc Williams
Porto vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Full commentary and

---

Chelsea star Jorginho has warned Maurizio Sarri that he could 'betray' Napoli supporters by taking the Juventus job this summer. Reports claim that Sarri is set to leave Chelsea after less
Sarri to wait for Juventus switch - One News Page

---

Mauricio Pochettino has been given the go ahead to rebuild Tottenham this summer ahead of a renewed push for silverware next season. Spurs' outside Premier League title challenge came up short
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino warns of 'painful' rebuild

---

MOHAMED SALAH must win trophies at Liverpool to be considered a greater success at the club than Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres. MOHAMED SALAH must win trophies at Liverpool to be considered a greater success at the club than
Related news on "Liverpool" - trend24h.net

---

The experienced forward scored a brace against the Canaries in an early season 4-3 league win at Carrow Road and has previous top flight experience with Southampton. LIKELIHOOD: Hardly a surprise to see both Norwich and Sheffield United linked with a striker who looks a cut above the Football League. Even if an initial £5m fee would seemingly
Daniel Farke - Gist Junction - News around the world

---

Bradley Johnson: Derby County man handed four-match ban by Football Association for alleged bite on Stoke City's Joe Allen Johnson denies biting his opponent and Allen also claimed he didn't
Bradley Johnson: Derby County midfielder given four-game ban

---

Kevin de Bruyne and Leroy Sane struck as Manchester City breezed past Cardiff 2-0 at the Etihad to return to the summit of the Premier League. The quadruple-chasing champions were hardly tested by the Bluebirds and eased to victory with goals early and late in the first half. The result lifted Pep Guardiola's side a […]
Two Unusual Galaxies Shake Up the Dark Matter Debate, Again

---

'He's better than Alvaro Morata' - Chelsea fans call for Tammy Abraham return after four-goal showing for Aston Villa The 21-year-old loanee bagged four in Villa's 5-5 draw with Forest
Chelsea fans demand Tammy Abraham replace Alvaro Morata after

---

West Ham transfer news: £24m deal for Villarreal creator Pablo Fornals is reportedly close. By any acceleration of West Ham's attempts to sign the Villarreal star lends credence to
West Ham set to sign Pablo Fornals from Villarreal - Vbox TV

---

Zac Efron wears a Tottenham shirt at new Spurs stadium… but seven years ago he was an Arsenal fan The Hollywood star watched Spurs beat Brighton 1-0 at the new White Hart Lane By Sean O'Brien
Zac Efron wears a Tottenham shirt at new Spurs stadium but

---