Northern Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign got off to a disappointing start on Saturday night as they were beaten 1-0 by Denmark in Copenhagen. The hosts took the lead in the first half through a goal from Yussuf Poulsen, and despite a spirited performance from Michael O’Neill’s men, they were unable to find an equaliser.
The visitors had a late chance to salvage a point when debutant Callum Marshall thought he had scored a dramatic equaliser in the dying moments of the game, but the goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review.
Michael O’Neill’s Reaction
Speaking after the game, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill was understandably frustrated with the result and the late VAR decision which denied his side a point. He labelled the decision as “a joke” and felt his side had been denied two penalty claims of their own.
“I think it’s a joke,” said O’Neill. “We had two penalty claims that were turned down and then we have a goal disallowed for offside. It’s very hard to take. We worked very hard and I think we deserved something from the game.”
He added: “The VAR decision was very harsh. We had a few chances in the first half and we had a few more in the second half. We had a lot of possession and we were pushing for an equaliser right until the end. It’s very disappointing to come away with nothing.”
Denmark’s View
Denmark manager Age Hareide was pleased with his side’s performance, but admitted that they had been lucky to come away with all three points. He said: “We knew it would be a tough game and it was. We had to defend well and we did. We also created some good chances, but we were lucky to get the win in the end.”
Conclusion
In the end, Denmark came away with all three points, but it was a game that could have gone either way. Northern Ireland will feel aggrieved at the late VAR decision which denied them a point, and Michael O’Neill will be hoping his side can put this disappointment behind them and get back to winning ways in their next game against Austria.
Analysis: Northern Ireland’s 1-0 Defeat to Denmark in Euro 2024 Qualifier
Introduction
Northern Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign got off to a disappointing start on Saturday night as they were beaten 1-0 by Denmark in Copenhagen. The hosts took the lead in the first half through a goal from Yussuf Poulsen, and despite a spirited performance from Michael O’Neill’s men, they were unable to find an equaliser. Debutant Callum Marshall thought he had earned a dramatic 1-1 draw in the dying moments of the game, but a protracted VAR examination ruled that skipper Jonny Evans was offside.
Michael O’Neill’s Reaction
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill was understandably frustrated with the result and the late VAR decision which denied his side a point. He labelled the decision as “a joke” and felt his side had been denied two penalty claims of their own.
“I think it’s a joke,” said O’Neill. “We had two penalty claims that were turned down and then we have a goal disallowed for offside. It’s very hard to take. We worked very hard and I think we deserved something from the game.”
Denmark’s View
Denmark manager Age Hareide was pleased with his side’s performance, but admitted that they had been lucky to come away with all three points. He said: “We knew it would be a tough game and it was. We had to defend well and we did. We also created some good chances, but we were lucky to get the win in the end.”
Analysis of Northern Ireland’s Performance
Northern Ireland put in a spirited performance against Denmark, but ultimately they were unable to find an equaliser. They had several chances throughout the game, but were unable to convert them into goals. The visitors also felt aggrieved at two penalty claims which were turned down by the referee, as well as the late VAR decision which denied them a point.
Conclusion
In the end, Denmark came away with all three points, but it was a game that could have gone either way. Northern Ireland will feel aggrieved at the late VAR decision which denied them a point, and Michael O’Neill will be hoping his side can put this disappointment behind them and get back to winning ways in their next game against Austria.