The perfect away performance for Northern Ireland

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Ukraine 0 - 3 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland produced one of their best away performances under Michael O'Neill as they beat Ukraine in Slovakia in the Nations League.

Author | Mark Lee

Stadium | City Arena

Ciaron Brown scored his first international goal to open the scoring before Isaac Price headed home a second in an excellent first half for Northern Ireland.

Brown added his second in bizarre fashion in the 61st minute when Ukraine goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk came out of his area and missed his header, allowing the ball to roll into an empty net.

The victory preserves Northern Ireland's unbeaten start to the Nations League and leaves them top of Group B2 with two wins and a draw from their three matches.

View from the Northern Ireland end

They can complete the opening set of four games unbeaten if they avoid defeat against Georgia at Windsor Park on Monday.

Having secured their first away Nations League victory in Tbilisi, Northern Ireland made a bright start, with Jamie Donley and Terry Devlin both going close.

The breakthrough came when Kieran Morrison's corner was headed back across goal by Ruairi McConville, with his defensive partner Brown reacting quickest to poke the ball over the line.

Northern Ireland continued their excellent start with a superb flowing move, which ended with Morrison's cross being met by a powerful Price header. It was the 23-year-old's 11th international goal.

Ukraine were largely restricted to efforts from distance in the opening 45 minutes, with Heorhiy Sudakov and Eduard Sarapiy both trying their luck. Captain Trai Hume also saw an effort blocked by Illia Zabarnyi in the final minute of the half.

Mykola Matviyenko and Sudakov had half chances after the restart, but Northern Ireland effectively sealed the victory with 29 minutes remaining. Brown flicked on a free-kick and Riznyk raced out of his goal, only to miss the ball as it trickled over the line.

Matviy Ponomarenko's effort was deflected on to the post by Tom Atcheson as Ukraine searched for a response, but three goals and a clean sheet made it a memorable night for Northern Ireland.

O'Neill's side are three points clear of Hungary and Ukraine at the top of League B2, with Georgia bottom on one point.


Location: Slovakia

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