Overview
- Jamie Donley converted a VAR-awarded penalty in the 44th minute after Christopher Martins fouled Ciaron Brown, securing his first international goal.
- Michael O’Neill made six changes, handing Donley his first competitive start and Jamie McDonnell his first start, with Conor Hazard replacing the injured Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
- Northern Ireland finished third in Group A and will play an away play-off semi-final in March against a seeded opponent, with potential rivals including Italy, Poland, Ukraine or Turkey.
- O’Neill lauded Donley’s “real quality” and trial as a number nine, noting the position remains a priority and expressing hope the forward’s limited Stoke loan minutes are addressed in January.
- Youth featured prominently as O’Neill emphasized development, with five under-21s involved and a senior debut for Patrick Kelly, while Conor Bradley was managed with a planned half-time withdrawal.