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Luxembourg 2-2 Northern Ireland (Result) Northern Ireland win Group 3C and are promoted to League B Price gives visitors lead on 19 minutes Bradley adds second with 50th-minute header Korac pulls one back for hosts after 72 minutes Rodrigues hits top corner to equalise three minutes later Watch: Sportsound - Nations League Review in the watch & listen tab Jonathan Bradley and Jana Mc Cabe Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Andy Gray BBC Sport NI The referee from Azerbaijan pulled both captains aside in the tunnel to give them a talk before kick-off. It lasted a bit long to just be a 'best of luck, fellas', so let's hope that's the last time he is the centre of attention this evening. Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Right, we've asked fans who made the venture over to the game their score predictions but what are you thinking at home? Give this post a thumbs up if you think Northern Ireland will avoid defeat and top Group C3 and a thumbs down if you think the home side will win this evening. Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) The teams are out on the pitch and the anthems are about to get under way. The weather looks like it does on a typical day in Northern Ireland aka very, very rainy. Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Andy Gray BBC Sport NI If Northern Ireland win their Nations League group, then it opens up the possibility of a back door for a World Cup play-off. The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The runners-up in each group will go through to the play-offs, and be joined by the four highest-ranked Nations League group winners who did not finish in the top two in their qualifying group. There's a lot of ifs, buts and maybes, with a ton of football to be played between now and then, but it's something to keep an eye on for Northern Ireland. Dare to dream, and all that. Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) While we're talking about team news and Ruairi Mc Conville being handed his first start. Thanks to our good friend Marshall Gillespie we have a great stat to go alongside that with defender Mc Conville the 45th player that Michael O'Neill has given their full international debut to over his two stints in charge. Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Northern Ireland Michael O'Neill makes two changes to the starting XI who were the victors against Belarus. Ruairi Mc Conville makes his starting debut and Ethan Galbraith, who funnily enough also made his debut against Luxembourg, also in the line-up. They replace the suspended Ciaron Brown with Paul Smyth dropping to the bench. Northern Ireland: P Charles, Hume, Ballard, Mc Conville, Spencer, Bradley, S Charles, Mc Cann, Galbraith, D Charles, Price. Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Southwood, Balmer, Saville, Marshall, Reid, Smyth, Lyons, Thompson, Bonis, Magennis, Devenny. Luxembourg: Pereira, Jans, Carlson, Korac, Bohnert, Pinto, C Martins, Barreiro, Moreira, Sinani, Rodrigues. Subs: Schon, Fox, Mahmutovic, Curci, Gerson, Omosnya, D'Anzico, Dzogovic, Olesen, Rupil, Thill, M Martins. Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Ruairi Mc Conville says he hopes there are "many more opportunities" after he came off the bench against Belarus to make his senior international debut on Friday night. The highly-rated Brighton youngster is currently captain of the Northern Ireland Under-19 side, but missed this summer's home European Championships through injury. His call-up to the senior squad came after hamstring injuries prevented Paddy Mc Nair and Eoin Toal from inclusion, and with fellow defender Ciaron Brown suspended for tonight's final group game with Luxembourg, Mc Conville could be in line for a first senior start. "I've always been ready, " Mc Conville said. "I've always been working to try and get this opportunity, and I'm grateful that it that it's come. "I've put my head down and hope there's many more opportunities. " Read more from Mc Conville here. Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) We caught up with some fans as they travel to the rainy Stade de Luxembourg. Jonny from Belfast thinks Northern Ireland will be the 2-0 victors. Eliza the Luxembourg fan thinks that it'll be a 1-1 draw with Maxen predicting a 1-0 victory for the home side. Ryan thinks Northern Ireland will top the group after a 2-1 victory this evening. However Benamtar thinks Luxembourg will dominate and win 2-0. Certainly a mixture of predictions! Will anyone be right? Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Michael O'Neill says his Northern Ireland players are under "no illusions" that victory is the priority in their final Nations League match in Luxembourg. "They are under no illusions that is what we are here to do, " O'Neill said on earning promotion with a victory in Luxembourg. "We're looking forward to the game. It's a beautiful new stadium in Luxembourg and the pitch looks fantastic. " O'Neill believes that Luxembourg's position in the group is not a "fair reflection of where they are as a team". "They are a good footballing team and have some good players who are at a good level at good clubs in Europe. "This Nations League has been a bit harsh on them, results-wise but their performances have been good. "I've known their coach for a long time so I know how he wants his team to play. "I think this will be as tough as any of the games that we have had. " Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) During this Nations League campaign, three players have captained Northern Ireland. But tonight, like against Belarus on Friday at Windsor Park, Shea Charles will lead the side out for their final fixture of the tournament. Since stalwarts Steven Davis and Jonny Evans retired Michael O'Neill has been handing the armband to a few potential skippers. It'll certainly be a tough choice for the Northern Ireland manager, whose side have won six and drawn two of their last ten games and have conceded just once in their five games so far in Group C3. Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) If Northern Ireland can avoid defeat tonight and top Group C3 not only does it mean promotion to League B and boost the confidence of the young upcoming team but it also could lead to a possible path to the World Cup in 2026. Thankfully (for my sake) explaining how it all works hasn't been left to me, over to you Andy Gray. .. Luxembourg v Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) Andy Gray BBC Sport NI So, a draw will do but what's the fun in playing for a point? Michael O'Neill has demanded that three points should be the focus of attention and, going by Shea Charles' press conference yesterday, that has definitely filtered through to the players. After the defeat in Bulgaria and draw 'away' to Belarus, it would also be a first away win at the third time of asking in this campaign. So there's still plenty to play for. Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) League C Group 3 table Northern Ireland need one point to secure top spot in Group C3 and, as a result, promotion to League B in the Nations League. Tonight's hosts are without a competitive win in a year and will finish bottom of C3. Michael O'Neill's outfit were the 2-0 victors against Luxembourg at Windsor Park with both goals coming in the first half and the away side, who had 60% of the possession, frustrating NI after the restart. Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland (19: 45 GMT) It's nearly time for Northern Ireland's final Nations League game of this campaign when a point at Stade de Luxembourg will be enough to secure promotion to League B. Michael O'Neill's side are yet to taste victory away from home in their two outings in League C Group 3 but will be hoping to take momentum from their last two impressive home games, when they defeated Bulgaria and Belarus. You can listen to the game on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster from 19: 30 GMT, and we'll have live updates from the match as they happen right here. Thanks for joining us- enjoy! Northern Ireland celebrating Dion Charles' goal against Belarus Conor Bradley scored Northern Ireland's second goal in Luxembourg but the hosts hit back to draw Northern Ireland threw away a two-goal lead in Luxembourg but a 2-2 draw was enough to earn promotion to League B in the Nations League. Isaac Price and Conor Bradley gave Michael O'Neill's side a two-goal lead but the hosts hit back. Quickfire goals by Seid Korac and Gerson Rodrigues stunned Northern Ireland and set up a tense final 15 minutes. However, Northern Ireland held on to secure the point they needed to finish in top spot on Group C3. The pre-match message from O'Neill and captain Shea Charles had been to press for the win and not to settle for a draw, and Northern Ireland made a bright start as drizzle fell at the Stade de Luxembourg. They made the breakthrough when Shea Charles' low pass into the area was dummied by Dion Charles, and Price was on hard to steer an effort into the bottom corner. With a one-goal advantage at half-time, Bradley's goal in the 51st minute gave Northern Ireland a buffer but they would soon relinquish it. The Liverpool full-back rose highest to head Price's cross towards goal, and goalkeeper Tiago Pereira could only push the ball into his own net as Bradley wheeled away to celebrate with the ever-vocal Green and White Army. However, Northern Ireland were stunned when Korac and Rodrigues netted in the space of three minutes but O'Neill's young side regrouped to hold on for the point they needed to finish top. 'Little lessons' for NI after Luxembourg draw - O'Neill In a strong start, Dion Charles was almost played through after a superb pass by goalkeeper Pierce Charles, but the Bolton striker was denied as Korac put in a superb last-ditch tackle in the wet conditions. Shea Charles, wearing the armband for the second time, and Dion Charles linked up well to find Ethan Galbraith down the right and his low, fizzed cross was just beyond Price in the middle of the area. However, the Standard Liege midfielder made amends moments later when he curled a delightful, first-time effort into the bottom corner after Dion Charles stepped over Shea Charles' pass into the area. It was a fourth goal of the campaign for Price, who also netted a hat-trick against Bulgaria in Belfast in October. Midfielder Charles blazed an effort well over before Luxembourg's only chance of the half came when Rodrigues fired a free-kick into the wall, and the striker's powerful follow up flew wide of the goal. Price was involved again as he cut inside from Bradley's pass, and his effort was gathered at the second attempt by Thiago Pereira with Dion Charles lurking. Bradley was having a quiet game compared by his own high standards, but he almost set Price up for a second when he ran into the area and cut the ball back for the goalscorer, who mishit his effort well over the bar. Isaac Price gave Northern Ireland the lead in Luxembourg The first real chance of the second half ended up in the back of the net as Bradley headed Price's cross towards goal, which Pereira got a touch on but he could only push it into his own net. Ruairi Mc Conville, on his first start, headed over from a corner as Northern Ireland had the wind in their sails and their confidence in attack was on display again when when Bradley touched Price's cross narrowly wide from close range. However, there was a twist to come when Korac slid the ball into the net off goalkeeper Charles, who conceded for the first time in a Northern Ireland shirt. Northern Ireland were stunned three minutes later when Rodrigues fired into the top corner after bringing the ball down in the area to set up a tetchy final 15 minutes. Ethan Galbraith let fly from the edge of the area as the visitors halted the momentum but substitute goalkeeper Ralph Schon pulled off a strong save. Bradley fired a dangerous low cross across the face of goal but no one was in the area to capitalise, but Northern Ireland held on to earn the point required. Their cause was helped by Belarus drawing 1-1 with Bulgaria, which meant even a defeat would have kept Northern Ireland top of the group. The result not only earns promotion to League B, but it also keeps open the possibility of a play-off for the 2026 World Cup. After the traditional World Cup qualifying campaign has come to a conclusion, the four highest-ranked Nations League group winners who did not finish in first or second place in their group will be awarded one of four additional play-off positions. Of course, the most simple route for O'Neill's youthful side is to get the job done by finishing in the top two in their qualifying group, but it will be nice for Northern Ireland to have that back-up option should it be required. The draw for World Cup qualifying takes place on Friday, 13 December. This video can not be played Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill speaking after the game. Last Updated 18th November 2024 at 21: 45 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Luc Holtz Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Michael O'Neill Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Luc Holtz Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Michael O'Neill Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 To watch and listen, you need to enable Java Script in your browser. Sportsound - Northern Ireland Nations League Review. Video Sportsound - Northern Ireland Nations League Review Listen: Luxembourg v Northern Ireland. BBC Radio Ulster. Audio Listen: Luxembourg v Northern Ireland BBC Radio Ulster UEFA Nations League All competitions All competitions All competitions Luxembourg have won just one of their six previous meetings with Northern Ireland in all competitions (D1 L4), beating them 3-2 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in September 2013. Northern Ireland have won their last three meetings with Luxembourg, including a 2-0 win in September in the UEFA Nations League. Luxembourg are winless in their last seven matches in all competitions (D2 L5), scoring just one goal in this run. Victory for Northern Ireland here will see them automatically promoted to League B of the UEFA Nations League – they’ve conceded just one goal in the competition so far in this campaign (4 clean sheets). Luxembourg have scored just one goal in their five UEFA Nations League matches so far this campaign, with that goal coming via a Gerson Rodrigues penalty against Belarus. Northern Ireland have won 5-0 against Bulgaria and 2-0 against Belarus in their last two UEFA Nations League games. They last won three consecutive competitive matches between March and June 2019 (4). Pierce Charles has kept a clean sheet in all three of his appearances for Northern Ireland – he’s the first goalkeeper in the nation’s history to record a shutout in each of his first three starts. Since Daniel Ballard’s debut for Northern Ireland in September 2020, no player has scored more goals for the nation in all competitions than the centre-back (5). © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.