Northern Ireland’s Euro dream is dashed

A goal in the second period of extra time by Michal Duris was enough to knock Ian Baraclough’s men out.

They had emptied the tank to get back into the game after Juraj Kucka had given the visitors a first half lead.

But Northern Ireland looked a different animal in the latter stages of the game and deservedly drew level on 87 minutesas Milan Skriniar put through his own net after great work by Paddy McNair.

The small band of home fans nearly lifted the roof off with that goal but unfortunately that was as good as it got.

There might have only been just over 1,000 home fans inside Windsor Park but they were certainly making their presence felt from the off. It certainly helped Ian Baraclough’s men get on the front foot in the early exchanges.

George Saville did well to hold up the ball on the byline before cutting it back for Jamal Lewis to cross, his deep ball was headed back across goal by Paddy McNair, but Rodák claimed the ball in front of Conor Washington.

At the other end Albert Rusnak cut inside and fired a shot away from the edge of the box, but it was always rising and never troubled Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Disaster struck on 17 minutes though as a mix up between Saville and Jonny Evans saw the midfielder’s misplaced header send Juraj Kucka racing clear, and he kept his cool to slot low past Pacock-Farrell.

Niall McGinn almost conjured up an equaliser out of nothing as his deep cross had Rodák scrambling and the keeper did well to palm away for a corner in the end.

Josh Magennis almost managed to get on the end of McNair’s corner, but the ball fell kindly for Rodák to gather in front of goal.

There was a worry for Northern Ireland as Stuart Dallas went down after a heavy clash with Tomas Hubocan.

The Leeds United man looked to be in a lot of pain and was holding his arm, but remarkably he dusted himself down and returned to the action.

Chances were few and far between with Dallas trying his luck from distance but his shot was well wide of the target.

Northern Ireland were starting to ask more questions though.

A loose pass was snatched upon by McGinn and he whistled a shot narrowly over from the edge of the box.

Northern Ireland started the second half with real purpose. A long throw from Magennis caused all sorts of problems for the Slovakia defence and goalkeeper Rodák looked less than convincing under the high ball before the danger was eventually cleared.

Great work by McGinn saw him nick the ball and race forward he slipped the ball inside for Washington, but his shot was straight at Rodák.

As the half wore on though the visitors gained more control and looked to be seeing the game out.

But as we know you write Northern Ireland off at your peril!

With three minutes to go McNair surged into the boxand his low cross was diverted into his own net by Milan Skriniar at the near post.

Kyle Laferty then crashed a shot off the base of the post as Slovakia held on.

The first period of extra time was largely uneventful, but disaster struck four minutes into the second period.

A long ball forward struck Evans and fell kindly for Michal Duris, who produced a low finish past Peacock-Farrell.

Right at the death Evans had a header saved by Rodák.