Overview
- Jamie Donley converted a 44th-minute penalty after VAR sent referee Kristo Tohver to the monitor for Christopher Martins’ foul on Ciaron Brown.
- Michael O’Neill made six changes, starting Conor Hazard and handing Donley his first competitive start, in a low-key finale at Windsor Park.
- Donley’s strike was his first senior international goal and marked Northern Ireland’s 100th World Cup qualifying goal at the stadium.
- Ahead of the knockouts, O’Neill sought clarity on yellow-card suspensions, and the official team sheet confirmed no player faced a play-off ban risk.
- Josh Magennis earned his 86th cap and Patrick Kelly debuted, and a late Luxembourg penalty appeal was dismissed.