San Marino 0-3 Northern Ireland: Josh Magennis scores late double

Northern Ireland left it late before beating San Marino 3-0 to strengthen their position in World Cup Qualifying Group C on Friday.

Josh Magennis broke San Marino’s resistance in the 70th minute and then headed in a second shortly afterwards.

Steven Davis scored the third from the penalty spot to secure Northern Ireland a fourth successive win for the first time in their history.
With other results in the group also going their way, Northern Ireland can now guarantee a top-two finish, and likely at least a play-off berth, if they avoid defeat against Czech Republic at Windsor Park on Monday.

Czech Republic should provide a different test to San Marino, who frustrated Northern Ireland for much of the match but offered no threat at all up front themselves.

Player ratings
San Marino A Simoncini (7), Biordi (5), D Simoncini (5), Palazzi (5), Bonini (5), Grandoni (5), Battistini (5), Cervellini (5), Rinaldi (4), Berardi (4), Berardi (4).
Subs: Vitaioli (5), Gasperoni (5), Golinucci (5).
Northern Ireland: McGovern (6), C McLaughlin (6), Hughes (6), J Evans (6), Brunt (6), Davis (7), Norwood (7), Magennis (8), Dallas (7), Washington (7), K Lafferty (6).
Subs: Ferguson (5), C Evans (6), McGinn (5).
Davis fired wide in the second minute for the visitors before Oliver Norwood sent a looping header past the post and Magennis failed to hit the target with a header from a corner.

The visitors created more chances towards the end of the half but Conor Washington dragged an effort wide and then Magennis headed against the inside of the post.

Chances continued to come and go after half-time as San Marino’s hopes of holding out for only their second competitive clean sheet increased.

Team news
Michael O’Neill went with an attacking line-up featuring Kyle Lafferty, Conor Washington and Josh Magennis. Jonny Evans also made his first competitive appearance of the season after speculation over his club future.
But their resistance was eventually broken in the 70th minute when Davis kept alive a rebound and crossed for Magennis to turn in from close range.

Magennis added a second shortly afterwards, nodding in from Washington’s cross, before Davis slid in a penalty after the ball hit Alex Gasperoni’s hand.

Man of the match – Josh Magennis

After heading against the post and missing a couple of other chances, Magennis finally got the breakthrough for Northern Ireland in the 70th minute, finishing from close range after he had seen a header kept out by the impressive Aldo Simoncini.
The Charlton striker then added a second to cap off a positive performance that saw him pose a constant threat with his power and aerial strength.

What’s next?

Northern Ireland face a crunch clash with Czech Republic at Windsor Park on Monday. If Michael O’Neill’s side avoid defeat they will be assured of a top-two finish in the group.

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