Spirited Northern Ireland U21s secure impressive point in UEFA Euro 2025 qualifier against star-studded England team including talent from Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City

The English squad was packed full of Premier League quality and according to Transfermarkt’s values worth more than £300million – Archie Gray moved from Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur this summer for £30million and midfield partner Elliott Anderson swapped Newcastle United for Nottingham Forest in a deal worth a reported £35million.

In Ben Futcher’s first starting line-up since being appointed England’s U21 boss after Lee Carsley was promoted to senior chief following Gareth Southgate’s departure, six players ply their trade in the top-flight – Jarrell Quansah (Liverpool), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), Gray (Spurs), Anderson (Forest), James McAtee (Manchester City) and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) – while Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Bynoe-Gittens was also included.

England had won six of their seven group games ahead of a trip to Ballymena while Northern Ireland sat fifth, trailing them by 12 points, but hard work and desire levelled the playing field as they produced a spirited display.

Tommy Wright made five changes from the Northern Ireland side that defeated Serbia earlier this year with Terry Devlin, Tom Fogarty, Aaron Donnelly, Michael Forbes and JJ McKiernan all drafted in.

England were always going to dominate possession and create chances with the talent in their squad and Bynoe-Gittens, who played in last season’s Champions League final, fired an early warning by cutting in from the right before earning a corner which Anderson failed to utilise.

Wright’s youngsters continued to grow into the game and Dale Taylor – given the captain’s armband with Carl Johnston on senior duty – unleashed their first meaningful effort which was easily claimed by James Trafford.

Pierce Charles was called into action in the 25th minute with his smart low save denying McAtee after a delightful turn and shot before the Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper dived bravely at Jonathan Rowe’s feet to smother moments later, stopping a promising attack.

Northern Ireland had a penalty shout waved away on the stroke of half-time following a challenge on Taylor.

Futcher was able to call upon his bench early in the second-half with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who netted his maiden Premier League goal last weekend, introduced and the 21-year-old struck over the crossbar from a 67th minute corner.

The hosts forged an opportunity to find an opener as Makenzie Kirk pounced on a defensive error but couldn’t trouble Trafford with his powerful shot before Delap forced Charles into another smart save.

Charles continued to show why he received his maiden senior call-up from Michael O’Neill earlier this summer by stopping Anderson from close range.

Wright introduced Cliftonville ace Shea Kearney – making his U21 international debut – and Glentoran left-back Johnny Russell seconds before Justin Devenny struck just over the crossbar while a late counter-attack didn’t break in Northern Ireland’s favour with Quansah making a last-ditch tackle.