Isaac Price opened the scoring with his second Northern Ireland goal
Northern Ireland finally gave their supporters a result to cheer as they ended a poor Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with an impressive 2-0 win over Denmark in Belfast.
Second-half goals from Isaac Price and Dion Charles ensured Michael O'Neill's men finished the campaign on a high.
Charles hit the post early on before NI goalkeeper Conor Hazard twice made good saves before the break.
The Danes had secured their place in the Euro finals before Monday's game.
A win over Slovenia on Friday booked Denmark that place in the finals and they rested a few big names for the Windsor Park encounter, with Manchester United pair Rasmus Højlund and Christian Eriksen already missing through injury.
That did not seem to make the much-needed victory any less sweeter for the Northern Ireland players and supporters, however, with the Green and White Army bursting into life for the majority of the second half.
It had been seven defeats from nine games until Monday night for what has mostly been a young and inexperienced Northern Ireland side throughout this campaign, with their only previous points coming from two wins over minnows San Marino.
Missing a host of key players due to injury, it has been a tough and at times dismal period for manager O'Neill after he was appointed for a second spell in charge with genuine hopes of qualification before the injuries took their toll.
More to follow.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsNorthern Ireland
Formation 5-4-1
12Hazard2Hume5Toal17McNair22Brown3Lewis14Price19Charles6Saville13Taylor10Charles
- 12Hazard2HumeBooked at 33mins5Toal17McNair22Brown3Lewis14PriceSubstituted forSmythat 78'minutes19Charles6SavilleBooked at 28minsSubstituted forThompsonat 82'minutes13TaylorSubstituted forMcMenaminat 78'minutes10CharlesSubstituted forWashingtonat 87'minutes
Substitutes
- 1McMullan4Boyd-Munce7McMenamin8McCausland9Washington11Jones15Thompson16Marshall18Smyth20Spencer21Magennis23Southwood
Denmark
Formation 4-3-3
1Schmeichel13Kristensen2Andersen6Christensen14Kristiansen10O'Riley11Hjulmand7Jensen18Lindstrøm12Dolberg9Daramy
- 1Schmeichel13Kristensen2AndersenBooked at 90mins6Christensen14Kristiansen10O'RileySubstituted forHøjbjergat 61'minutesBooked at 90mins11HjulmandSubstituted forWindat 73'minutes7JensenSubstituted forDelaneyat 61'minutes18LindstrømSubstituted forPoulsenat 56'minutes12Dolberg9DaramySubstituted forVestergaardat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Nelsson4Vestergaard5Mæhle8Delaney16Hermansen17Stryger Larsen19Wind20Poulsen21Dreyer22Rønnow23Højbjerg
Referee:Jerome BrisardMatch StatsHome TeamNorthern IrelandAway TeamDenmarkPossessionHome20%Away80%ShotsHome7Away14Shots on TargetHome2Away3CornersHome2Away10FoulsHome6Away8Live Text Post update
Match ends, Northern Ireland 2, Denmark 0.
90'+7'Full Time
Second Half ends, Northern Ireland 2, Denmark 0.
90'+5'Post update
Attempt saved. Jonas Wind (Denmark) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kasper Dolberg.
90'+4'Booking
Joachim Andersen (Denmark) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+3'Post update
Attempt blocked. Jonas Wind (Denmark) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Thomas Delaney.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Joachim Andersen (Denmark).
90'+2'Post update
Trai Hume (Northern Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+1'Post update
Corner, Denmark. Conceded by Conor Hazard.
90'+1'Post update
Attempt saved. Kasper Dolberg (Denmark) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
90'+1'Post update
Corner, Denmark. Conceded by Paddy McNair.
90'Booking
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark) is shown the yellow card.
87'Substitution
Substitution, Northern Ireland. Conor Washington replaces Dion Charles because of an injury.
87'Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
86'Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Dion Charles (Northern Ireland).
84'Post update
Foul by Kasper Dolberg (Denmark).
84'Post update
Paddy McNair (Northern Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82'Substitution
Substitution, Northern Ireland. Jordan Thompson replaces George Saville.
81'goalGoal!
Goal! Northern Ireland 2, Denmark 0. Dion Charles (Northern Ireland) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Conor McMenamin with a cross following a fast break.
78'Substitution
Substitution, Northern Ireland. Conor McMenamin replaces Dale Taylor.
78'Substitution
Substitution, Northern Ireland. Paul Smyth replaces Isaac Price.
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Source: bbc.com