Romania 1-1 Northern Ireland
Last night’s UEFA Nations League match between Romania and Northern Ireland did not disappoint at all with the drama and entertainment that it provided.
Northern Ireland left Bucharest last night with a positive result as they held Romania to a draw with a late equaliser.
For the most part, it looked like the home team was going to come away with a victory because their visitors simply couldn’t keep up.
However, substitute winger Gavin Whyte came in and saved the day for the Green and White via a timely header. It was a much-needed boost as his team was trailing for the whole evening.
Romania, on the other hand, were surely feeling down on themselves after the game. After all, they were backed to win by the UEFA Nations League 2020 odds as mentioned in the match preview.
And with Austria winning over Norway in the same night, they now hold the sole lead in Group B1 of the UEFA Nations League table with three points, while Romania and Northern Ireland are bunched together at the second and third spot with a point each.
Highlights of the game
Newly-minted Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough had a debut to remember, although things really didn’t go to plan at first.
His team didn’t perform well in the first few minutes and things looked bleak towards the end of the first half.
The UEFA Nations League 2020 highlights featured Romania as they dictated the tempo and they finally scored the first goal of the evening after a set piece in the 25th minute.
The ball was kicked right into the edge of the box to Nicolae Stanciu and then he shot the ball past multiple Northern Ireland defenders, but his attempt was blocked away by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Eventually, the ball popped up to Vlad Chiriches and he was able to find an open seam in the middle to deliver the ball to a cutting George Puscas for a cool finish.
Down by 1-0, what made things even worse for the Green and White army was when Josh Magennis was sent off in the 39th minute.
The Hull City forward was already given a yellow card when he caught Nicusor Bancu with a wayward elbow and then a similar challenge minutes later would prompt the referees to give him another one before the break.
In the second half, the 10-man Northern Ireland team continued to struggle as they can’t generate any big attacking opportunities.
In the 73rd minute, Corry Evans almost doubled Romania’s lead when he deflected Nicusor Bancu’s cross onto the post that was inches away from the net.
However, Northern Ireland aren’t going to wave the white flag just yet. And in the 86th minute, Ian Baraclough’s men would find the breakthrough that they needed.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell flicked the ball into the box and Kyle Lafferty tried to tap it in, but eventually Gavin Whyte would score the equaliser when he was at the right place and at the right time.
Romania almost retook the lead in more than a minute later, but Denis Alibec’s strong shot hit off the crossbar.
Key statistics
While Gavin Whyte was the obvious hero for Northern Ireland, let’s not forget Bailey Peacock-Farrell also as he turned in a fine performance for the Green and White army.
The 23-year-old Burnley goalkeeper was excellent in his 15th cap for the team, two years after making his international debut in a friendly game against Panama.
Romania were in firm control for most of the night, they’ve had 73-per cent possession, and had 18 total shots along with nine of them on target.
Northern Ireland skipper Steven Davis is level with Pat Jennings in all-time appearances at 119. Meanwhile, last night was the debut game for Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard.
The 20-year-old made quite an impression in his first start despite having not played all year due to a torn ACL.
What’s next?
The UEFA Nations League preseason extravaganza continues here at SBOTOP.
Romania will take on Group B1 leaders Austria over at the Worthersee Stadion this upcoming Tuesday while Northern Ireland host Norway at Windsor Park on the same day.
Meanwhile, a seven-game slate will be on queue tomorrow.
In Group A2, Iceland and England go at it over at the Laugardalsvollur while the Danes will take on the world’s top-ranked team in Belgium.
In Group A3, Sweden host France at the Friends Arena while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal take on Croatia at the Estadio do Dragao.
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