NORTHERN IRELAND SHOCK EURO 2024-BOUND DENMARK
A young Northern Ireland side produced a stunning performance to beat Denmark 2-0 at Windsor Park thanks to goals from Issac Price and Dion Charles.
The visiting Danes had already secured qualification prior to kick-off, while Northern Ireland knew that their chances of reaching next summer’s European Championships had long gone.
But a team with an average age of just 24 put in a brilliant display, going closest to scoring in a goalless first half, before producing two moments of magic on the counter-attack after the break to leave manager Michael O’Neill beaming with pride.
Jamal Lewis did brilliantly down the left flank to beat a couple of players and launch the break, finding Dion Charles who in turn picked out Shea Charles in space. The crowd were on their feet as the break developed, and the majestic move reached a goalscoring end when Charles played in Isaac Price, whose drilled shot beat Kasper Schmeichel at his near post.
Denmark responded by bringing the experience off the bench and pushing hard for an equaliser. But it was the home side who got the decisive second goal.
George Saville’s raking ball forward was perfectly weighted to find the run of substitute Conor McMenamin, who did superbly to bring the ball down, get outside his man, and pick out the perfect cross for Dion Charles to finish unmarked at the far post.
Denmark finish in top spot in the group, level on points with Slovenia, while it will be Finland who progress to the play-off competition.
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