English
Slovakia edges out Northern Ireland in a tense and controversial match
Kosice was the stage for a hard-fought match between Slovakia and Northern Ireland, part of the European qualification for the World Cup. The game, played at the Košická futbalová aréna, ended with a narrow victory for the home team with a score of 1 to 0.
Slovakia clearly dominated possession with 63%. However, despite generating 16 shots, only two of them were on target, showing a lack of precision in attack. Two Slovak goals were disallowed by VAR, first to M. Skriniar in the 55th minute for offside, and then to D. Strelec in the 65th minute for handball.
Northern Ireland, with 37% possession, focused more on defending and looking for counter-attacks, generating 9 shots, also with two on target. The match was characterized by intensity in midfield, reflected in the 18 fouls committed by the Northern Irish, who received two yellow cards, both for D. Ballard, leading to his expulsion in the 90th minute. Slovakia committed 14 fouls and received one yellow card.
The winning goal for Slovakia came in the 90th minute, scored by T. Bobcek, assisted by L. Benes, unleashing euphoria in the stadium. Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs managed a complicated match, marked by VAR interventions and high tension between the teams.
Substitutions northern ireland: at minute 46 D. Charles came in and J. Reid went out., at minute 73 P. McNair came in and J. Magennis went out., at minute 79 J. Reid came in and J. Donley went out., at minute 90 T. Hume came in and C. Brown went out.
Substitutions slovakia: at minute 69 D. Duris came in and L. Sauer went out., at minute 84 T. Rigo came in and L. Benes went out., at minute 84 L. Haraslin came in and L. Tupta went out., at minute 88 D. Strelec came in and R. Bozenik went out., at minute 88 N. Gyomber came in and T. Bobcek went out.
The teams lined up as follows:
Slovakia
Titulares:
Northern Ireland
Titulares:
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