Liam Boyce the hero as Northern Ireland beat Bosnia-Herzegovina

Ian Baraclough’s men bounced backe from a shaky opening 45 minutes which saw the hosts take the lead through Rade Krunic’s early strike.

Niall McGinn levelled things up on 53 minutes as the Green and White Army vastly improved after the break.

It was nip and tuck after that as the game moved into extra time and then penalties.

Baraclough made a double tactical substitution late in extra time as he brought on Boyce and Connor Washington for fellow subs Jordan Thompson and Jordan Jones.

And it proved to be the correct call as both men scored, Boyce with vital fifth penalty.

The hosts started brightly and forced a corner inside five minutes. Sinisa Sanicanin got on the end of Miralem Pjanic’s set-piece, but he powered his header over the bar.

A third corner in quick succession saw Edin Dzeko pick up the loose ball in the box, but the returning Johnny Evans did well to close him out.

Northern Ireland were struggling to impose themselves on the ball and they were punished on 13 minutes.

An unfortunate slip by Evans allowed Branimir Cipetic to get to the byline and cut the ball back for Rade Krunic to fire low past the unfortunate Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

The visitors almost pulled themselves level inside two minutes as Corry Evans whipped a great ball into the box for Josh Magennis, but Bosnia goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic somehow denied him with a superb save low down to his left.

Bosnia went close again on 24 minutes as Kolasinac and Dzeko combined to tee up Pjanic outside the box, but the Barcelona midfielder arrowed his shot wide of the post.

Krunic forced Peacock-Farrell into a save on 34 minutes as Dzeko turned provider again.

Right at the end of the first half Northern Ireland carved out an excellent opportunity.

Jamal Lewis’ deep cross was headed across goal by Paddy McNair to George Saville, but his close range effort was deflected over the bar.

Northern Ireland started the second half well and they got their rewards with an equaliser eight minutes after the restart.

A long ball was flicked on by Magennis, Niall McGinn nipped in front the defender before a kind ricochet when Sanicanin’s attempted clearance dropped the ball in front of goal for him and the Aberdeen man made no mistake from 12 yards.

The winger then whipped a great ball in for McNair minutes later, but Kolasinac did enough to put him off in front of goal.

At the other end batted away another effort from Krunic after he found space in the box.

Back came Northern Ireland with Saville and Lewis both being denied with blocks in the box.

They had a lucky escape on the hour mark as Pjanic stepped up to strike a free kick after Steven Davis was penalised.

The talented playmaker showed how dangerous he is as the set-piece crashed off the bar from 25 yards.

Peacock-Farrell produced another good stop to deny Hadziahmetovic on 64 minutes and from the resulting corner McGinn was alert to head away Sanicanin’s looping header.

Neither side managed to find the target in the last quarter so it was on to extra time.

Northern Ireland were first to threaten with substitute Jordan Jones forcing Sehic into a good save at his near post.

At the other end Peacock-Farrell produced a similar stop to deny Visca.

The hosts upped the pressure in the second period but Northern Ireland were defending resolutely.

It was on to penalties, Northern Ireland first in a competitive game.

Pjanic was first up to put the home side in front, but Stuart Dallas levelled things up with a superb spot kick.

Peacock-Farrell produced an excellent save to deny Haris Hajradinovic before Kyle Lafferty gave Northern Ireland the advantage.

Visca then crashed the bar but Saville couldn’t take advantage as he blazed over.

Dino Hotic tied things up again, but Conor Washington edged Northern Ireland back in front again.

Dzeko made it all square again but Boyce kept his cool firing straight down the middle to secure his side’s place in the final.