European Super Football

Northern Ireland 1 - 0 Luxembourg Jamie Donley’s first international goal proved decisive as Northern Ireland closed their World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow victory over Luxembourg in Belfast. Author |  Mark Lee Stadium |  Windsor Park The Tottenham forward, who previously featured for England at youth level, was making only his second senior start. In a match with little riding on it, he settled the contest from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time. A closer analysis of what happened Michael O’Neill’s side had already secured a place in next summer’s play-off semi-finals through their Nations League performance and were unable to finish above third in Group A. The manager responded by making six changes from the side beaten 1-0 by Slovakia in Kosice, a result that had ended any faint hopes of a top-two finish. Donley was among those recalled and thought he had broken the deadlock inside 20 minutes with a tidy finish into the bottom corner, only for t...

Luxembourg 1 - 3 Northern Ireland Northern Ireland began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a win over Luxembourg. Author | Alan White Stadium | Stade de Luxembourg Jamie Reid gave the visitors the lead in the eighth minute, but Luxembourg deservedly equalised through Aiman Dardari after half an hour. Michael O'Neill 's side were much improved after the break and earned victory thanks to first international goals from Shea Charles and Justin Devenny with Luxembourg's Seid Korac shown a second yellow in between. This was a hard-fought three points and gives Northern Ireland a positive start to their campaign on a night where Slovakia beat Germany and potentially gave O'Neill's side more hopes of qualifying.  A closer look at what happened Northern Ireland started on the front foot and twice tested goalkeeper Anthony Moris in the opening three minutes. It was in the build-up to the second opportunity, when Reid was through on goal, that ref...

Luxembourg v Northern Ireland preview Northern Ireland will begin another World Cup qualifying campaign with an away game in Luxembourg. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Stade de Luxembourg The 2026 World Cup will arrive 40 years after Northern Ireland last graced football’s biggest stage, and a decade since their memorable run at Euro 2016 . In the years since, progress has been limited, but the introduction of younger players and a recent Nations League group victory have injected fresh belief. Qualification rules may also work in their favour, with Nations League winners who do not finish in the top two of their groups handed another route into the finals. READ MORE |  Wales resume their attempt to reach the World Cup Michael O’Neill’s side have taken seven wins from their last 15 matches, including a 1-0 friendly victory over Iceland in June, a sign of steady progress under the manager who guided them to France in 2016. While qualifying began for most of Europe back in March,...