Northern Ireland Thump Ukraine To Extend Unbeaten Nations League Run
Northern Ireland continued their flying start to the Nations League campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Ukraine, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches and moving three points clear at the top of Group B2.
Brown double seals big win for Northern Ireland over Ukraine in Nations League...
Northern Ireland extended their strong start to the Nations League with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ukraine in Group B2.
The win keeps them unbeaten in seven Nations League matches and strengthens their position at the top of the group.
Despite controlling possession from the outset, Ukraine were punished twice on the counter in a frustrating first half for Andrea Maldera's side.
Northern Ireland's opener was scrappy at best, but Ciaron Brown won't mind as he scrambled in his first international goal off the post from a deep corner inside the opening 10 minutes.
Their second, in contrast, was a thing of beauty and came at just the right moment, with Ukraine starting to build momentum midway through the half.
Kieran Morrison delivered a dangerous first-time cross that was begging to be attacked, and Isaac Price did just that, timing his run perfectly to plant a header past Dmytro Riznyk.
Ukraine pushed for a response before the break, and Eduard Sarapiy came closest to pulling one back when his long-range effort looked bound for the top corner, only for Pierce Charles to turn it away with a superb fingertip save.
The pattern continued after the break, with Ukraine controlling the tempo only to be caught out at the other end once more as Brown doubled his tally.
Much like his first, his second owed much to comical defending, with Riznyk failing to deal with a speculative flick-on and letting it slip through his legs and trickle over the line.
Despite the deficit, Ukraine kept pushing for a way back into the game, but their frustrating night was summed up when Matviy Ponomarenko's fierce drive struck the outside of the post.
In the end, Ukraine couldn't even find a consolation as Northern Ireland cruised to victory.
With both sides level on points at the top of the group coming into the game, they remain well placed to push for promotion, but Michael O'Neill's men now hold a three-point cushion over tonight's opponents and Hungary at the halfway stage.
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