Euro 2024 qualifiers: Northern Ireland stun Denmark to end poor campaign on a high

Northern Ireland finally gave their supporters a result to cheer as they ended a poor Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with an impressive 2-0 win over Denmark in Belfast.

Second-half goals from Isaac Price and Dion Charles ensured Michael O'Neill's men finished the campaign on a high.

Charles hit the post early on before NI goalkeeper Conor Hazard twice made good saves before the break.

The Danes had secured their place in the Euro finals before Monday's game.

A win over Slovenia on Friday booked Denmark that place in the finals and they rested a few big names for the Windsor Park encounter, with Manchester United pair Rasmus Højlund and Christian Eriksen already missing through injury.

That did not seem to make the much-needed victory any less sweeter for the Northern Ireland players and supporters, however, with the Green and White Army bursting into life for the majority of the second half.

It had been seven defeats from nine games until Monday night for what has mostly been a young and inexperienced Northern Ireland side throughout this campaign, with their only previous points coming from two wins over minnows San Marino.

Missing a host of key players due to injury, it has been a tough and at times dismal period for manager O'Neill after he was appointed for a second spell in charge with genuine hopes of qualification before the injuries took their toll.

Northern Ireland's opening goal on 52 minutes came from an excellent passing move from left to right that was finished superbly by Price to deliver a rare high point for the Windsor faithful.

Wing-back Jamal Lewis started the move with neat work down the left before playing a nice ball inside to Dion Charles, who in turn played it further inside to namesake Shea.

With space opening up and the home crowd urging him to shoot, the 20-year-old Southampton midfielder showed all the composure he has become renowned for to slip a cute ball to the right to Price, who beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel at his near post with a well-struck, low shot for his second international goal.

The home side's second arrived nine minutes from time when substitute Conor McMenamin got in down the left and delivered a firm low cross that was met at the back post by Charles, whose double against San Marino in March had got the campaign off to a winning start on O'Neill's return.

More to follow.