Match report and free highlights as Liam Boyce scores winning penalty in Sarajevo; Niall McGinn second-half equaliser forced extra-time and penalties; Slovakia stand between Northern Ireland and place at Euro 2020
Friday 9 October 2020 09:41, UK
Northern Ireland will face Slovakia for a place at Euro 2020 after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-3 in their first-ever penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in Sarajevo.
Niall McGinn's second-half strike cancelled out Rade Krunic's opener to force extra-time and then the first competitive shootout for Ian Baraclough's side.
Both teams scored their first spot-kicks before Bailey Peacock-Farrell saved from Haris Hajradinovic, and Dino Hotic struck the crossbar, as Bosnia blinked first in the shootout.
George Saville blazed over but Northern Ireland held on to their advantage as Liam Boyce converted the crucial spot-kick to set up a winner-takes-all play-off final with Slovakia at Windsor Park on November 12.
Bosnia, buoyed by almost 2000 supporters in attendance, dominated the early stages and had fortune on their side as their forced the early breakthrough.
An unfortunate slip from Jonny Evans allowed full-back Branimir Cipetic to dart to the byline and cut the ball back to the unmarked Krunic, whose low drive deflected in off Peacock-Farrell.
The setback kicked Northern Ireland into gear, and they came agonisingly close to an instant equaliser. Josh Magennis' bullet header from Corry Evans' cross drew a stunning save from Ibrahim Sehic at point-blank range before Bosnia scrambled the ball to safety.
The mesmeric Miralem Pjanic continued to dictate the pace of the game and nearly doubled the hosts' lead after Stuart Dallas' wayward pass on 24 minutes, but his first-time effort whistled inches wide.
Peacock-Farrell prevented Krunic from doubling his tally on 34 minutes before the final chance of the half fell Northern Ireland's way, but having brought Paddy McNair's header back across goal under control, George Saville's drive deflected over.
Northern Ireland transferred their positive spell into the second period and got their rewards within eight minutes of the restart as McGinn harassed Bosnia defenders Cipetic and Sinisa Sanicanin, won the ball on the edge of the box and rifled the equaliser past Sehic.
Paddy McNair nearly added a quick-fire second but Sead Kolasinac managed to scramble the ball clear from the Bosnia goalmouth.
Northern Ireland's equaliser sparked a flurry of activity at both ends, with Saville and Jamal Lewis going close and Pjanic rattling the crossbar with a free-kick.
But with no further goals, Northern Ireland went into extra-time for the first time since 1958, where substitute Jordan Jones and Edin Visca drew saves from Peacock-Farrell and Sehic at either end before the visitors came through the lottery of penalties on top.
Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough: "I did not think we were great in the first half, we talked about getting in their faces, putting them under pressure and for some reason that did not happen.
"We got a foothold in the game and then became more forceful in attack. We thought we could get at them and they certainly looked shaky with crosses in the box.
"I was delighted with Niall McGinn's industry to get into the box and then the calm finish. I just felt he had a goal in him for some reason. I watched him in training, and it made my mind up, he was bright, and you could see there was a hunger there.
"We had a game plan, it is something we worked on. Who are the best penalty takers? Go and practice, put it where you want to put it and don't change your mind. We needed to get Conor Washington and Liam Boyce on, and Jordan Jones and Jordan Thompson were selfless, we knew they were not the stronger penalty takers.
"We will enjoy this, and we have to get ready for Sunday. Let's see if we can get points in the Nations League, make sure the players are rested and think about Slovakia tomorrow."
Northern Ireland host Austria in Nations League Group B1 on Sunday at 7.45pm - live on Sky Sports Football. Bosnia host the Netherlands in Nations League Group A1 on Sunday at 5pm - live on Sky Sports Football red button.
