Northern Ireland secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Ukraine in Slovakia, moving to the top of Nations League Group B2 with seven points from their first three games and maintaining a clean sheet.
Manager Michael O’Neill fielded Northern Ireland’s youngest post-war starting eleven, with an average age of just 22, featuring 19-year-old debutant Kieran Morrison. Despite Ukraine dominating possession, the visiting side capitalized on their opportunities.
Ciaron Brown opened the scoring early in the match by prodding home a header from Ruairi McConville following a corner delivered by Morrison. In the 22nd minute, Isaac Price doubled Northern Ireland’s lead with a powerful finish at the back post from another precise ball into the box by Morrison.
Ukraine struggled to break down the resilient Northern Ireland defense, creating very few clear-cut chances despite making ten changes to their starting lineup. Just after the hour mark, Brown added his second and Northern Ireland’s third in bizarre fashion. The 28-year-old Oxford defender flicked on a long-range free-kick from Pierce Charles inside his own half, and Ukraine goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk allowed the bouncing ball to slip through his legs and roll over the line.
Although Ukraine substitute Matvii Ponomarenko later hit the outside of the post, they failed to mount a serious comeback. In the closing stages, Arsenal teenager Ceadach O’Neill came off the bench for his fourth appearance, effectively cementing his international future with Northern Ireland. The win sets up a strong position for Michael O’Neill’s side ahead of their upcoming match against Georgia in Belfast.
