Gareth McAuley scored twice to lead Northern Ireland to a 3-1 win over 10-man Faroe Islands in a Euro 2016 qualifier this evening.
Michael O'Neill's side headed into half time level after Joan Edmundsson cancelled out McAuley's early header, but the midfielder was sent off midway through the second half.
His dismissal allowed McAuley to soon restore the visitors' lead before Kyle Lafferty added a third, leaving Northern Ireland just one win off a spot in next summer's tournament.
Read how all the action unfolded below.
6.46pmGood evening! It's an hour until kickoff in the Faroe Islands, where the hosts will be hoping to cause an upset, beating Northern Ireland. The visitors have themselves been something of a surprise package in this campaign, losing just once in their first six outings.
6.49pmThis evening's match takes place in the Torsvollur Stadium. The facility opened in 1999, an
d has a capacity of 6,040:
Where is everyone watching tonight's match from? Pic: Tórsvøllur stadium, Faroe Islands #DareToDream #GAWA pic.twitter.com/pagSWYrLGh
— Official Irish FA (@OfficialIrishFA) September 4, 2015d has a capacity of 6,040:
6.50pmThe teams have been announced, so let's take a look at the starting lineups...
6.52pmFAROE ISLANDS STARTING XI: Nielsen, Nattestad, Faero, Naes, Hansson, Benjaminsen, Henriksen, Sorensen, Vatnhamar, Holst, Edmundsson
6.54pmNORTHERN IRELAND STARTING XI: McGovern, McLaughlin, McAuley, Evans, Baird, McGinn, Davis, Lafferty, Brunt, Dallas, Norwood
6.55pmThe visitors have made just one change to the side that shared a goalless draw with group leaders Romania in their last outing. Niall McGinn starts in midfield ahead of Jamie Ward.
6.58pmMeanwhile, the Faroe Islands have made three changes to the side that secured a surprise 2-1 win over Greece last time out. Odmar Faero is handed a start after coming off the bench last time out, while Jonas Naes and Brandur Hendriksson also start.
7.01pmStriker Atli Gregersen, who has 28 caps for the Faroe Islands, misses out tonight, having picked up three yellow cards in the first six fixtures of the qualifying campaign. He'll be available again for their clash with local rivals Finland later in the international period.
7.04pmSo, in their six matches so far, Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland side have secured four wins, a draw and just one defeat. After this match, the team have a potentially decisive match against third-placed Hungary on Monday. Depending on Hungary's result tonight, Northern Ireland could head into that match with a chance to secure qualification for next summer's tournament.
7.07pmThe Faroe Islands were in pot six when the draw for the group stage was made, alongside the likes of Andorra, San Marino and Gibraltar. Greece were the top-seeded side in the group, but the Faroe Islands have done the double over the 2004 European champions. The Faroe Islands are five points adrift of third place, but it is not mathematically impossible for them to close the gap to Hungary.
7.10pmBoth sides will have just three days off before their next match. The Faroe Islands have the relatively short journey to Finland on Monday. Finland currently sit just behind them in the group. Northern Ireland have that vitally important match against Hungary in Windsor Park.
7.13pmHere's a look inside the away dressing room:
Just 35mins to kick-off!! Let's do this NORTHERN IRELAND #DareToDream #GAWA #FROvNIR pic.twitter.com/6CvMyy4fj9
— Official Irish FA (@OfficialIrishFA) September 4, 20157.16pmAhead of this match, Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill told reporters: "The motivation is there because Northern Ireland needs it. Simple as that. We need it as a country and as a group of players, as a group of supporters. If we were to manage to maintain our form and secure qualification, I think it would be the first time in history that a pot-five team has qualified."
7.19pmAs you're probably aware, the other sides in Group F are in action this evening. Leaders Romania visit Hungary. Northern Ireland fans will probably be hoping for a draw in that one, as it keeps Romania in reaching distance, while dropping Hungary further. Meanwhile, the two sides below the Faroe Islands, Finland and Greece, go head to head.
7.22pmNorthern Ireland are hoping to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since reaching the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. In fact, it will be their first appearance in the European Championships if they make it to next summer's tournament in France.
7.25pmFaroe Islands manager Lars Olsen took charge of the side in 2011. The Dane told the Belfast Telegraph: "We are looking forward to the game on Friday. In Belfast we were a little bit down but since then we've played four very good games. We have become better and better and won two times against Greece so we will go into this game feeling confident. We will be well prepared and hopefully will collect more points."
7.28pmThese two sides have already met in this qualifying campaign, playing at Windsor Park in October last year. Early goals from Gareth McAuley and Kyle Lafferty handed the home side a 2-0 win in that fixture.
7.31pmLafferty could be key for Northern Ireland tonight. He's their top scorer in the qualifiers so far, with five goals from the opening six fixtures, making him the top scorer in the group, and just two behind Poland's Robert Lewandowski, who is the highest scorer across the nine groups.
7.34pmLafferty will need to be careful this evening, as he and Chris Brunt are both just one yellow card away from a suspension. Michael O'Neill would not want to be without either of the influential duo for the match against Hungary on Monday. It would not be a surprise if the visitors get a couple of early goals to see those two make way before full time.
7.37pmPREDICTION! The players will be heading out for kickoff in the next few minutes, so there's just time to make a quick prediction. Northern Ireland must start as the favourites, having looked so strong in the campaign to date, and beaten the Faroe Islands last time out. The hosts will want to put in a strong display at home, but I still think the visitors will be the stronger, so I'm going for a 2-0 win.
7.40pmThe players line up in the tunnel before heading out ready for kickoff. It's a sellout in the stadium, which means around 10% of the Faroe Islands' population is at the match.
7.43pmThe anthems of both sides are played ahead of kickoff. There are a smattering of Northern Ireland fans who have made the journey, but it's the hosts who really make themselves heard.
1 minKICKOFF! The home side get the match underway.
2 minStuart Dallas links up with Chris Brunt in the middle, resulting in the latter playing a long ball forward for the Leeds player, who manages to force a corner. Norwood crosses it in, but Brunt can only thump it well high. It's a positive start by the visitors though.
5 minBrunt is certainly making his presence felt in the early stages of the match, getting a dangerous looking cross in from the left. Nattestad tries to clear it, but it's only as far as Dallas, but the midfielder can't get the shot away.
6 minBOOKING! Joan Edmundsson picks up an early yellow card for the hosts for a reckless two-footed challenge on Kyle Lafferty right in front of the referee.
8 minThe home side get the ball down the other end for the first time, with Hendrikssen playing the ball out off Baird for a throw in. It's launched deep into the box, but Michael McGovern is soon off his line to claim it.
11 minSteven Davis crosses the ball in from the right as the visitors quickly break back down the other end. It's an excellent ball in, but Dallas can't quite get to it in time. He keeps it in play and pulls it back to Brunt, but his shot is blocked.
12 minGOAL! Faroe Islands 0-1 Northern Ireland (Gareth McAuley)
12 minNiall McGinn draws a foul around 30 yards out, which allows Oliver Norwood to curl the ball in beautifully from the resulting free kick, and it's Gareth McAuley who finds himself unmarked to rise up high in the box and nod it passed Gunnar Nielsen, who hadn't really been tested until that point.
15 minNorthern Ireland are trying to make their presence felt in midfield again, with Dallas outmuscling Odmar Faero to try to set up another chance for Michael O'Neill's side, but there's no-one in the middle for him to get a cross in to.
18 minThe home crowd are trying to get behind their side, but it's all Northern Ireland still, with Dallas forcing a corner. Norwood curls it in, but this time Nielsen is wary of the midfielder's delivery, and rushes of his line to grab it.
21 minCHANCE! Northern Ireland quickly force another corner, keeping Faroe Islands on the back foot. Norwood's delivery finds McGinn in space, and his shot is deflected just wide.
22 minBOOKING! Conor McLaughlin is the second player to attract the attention of the referee as the home side try to break down the left, resulting in the defender pulling down Christian Holst.
24 minCHANCE! Michael McGovern has to make his first save of the night as Joan Edmundsson tries his luck from range. He strikes is low and it is on target, but there's not enough power behind it to really cause any problems for the Northern Ireland stopper.
27 minThe Faroe Islands have certainly started to see more of the ball in the last five minutes, and they force a throw in in a strong position, which allows Tor Naes to launch the ball in for Nattestad, eventually resulting in Vatnhamar crossing the ball in, forcing Brunt to make a clearance.
29 minLafferty plays the ball forward to McGinn, giving himself time to run into the penalty box ready for the midfielder's cross, but the ball is overhit. Brunt manages to pick it back up to keep the move alive, but he slices his shot well over the crossbar.
32 minThere's a moment of concern for the Norther Ireland defence as Nattestad is left in space on the edge of the box, allowing him to chip it in towards Holst. McAuley gets his boot to it first, but McGovern isn't convinced that the defender has put it wide, so tries to make the save, and ends up spilling it behind himself, giving away the corner. Frodi Benjaminsen gets a shot away from the resulting set piece, but it's not enough to test the keeper.
34 minFaero and Hansson patiently pass the ball around in the middle as they try to make their way back towards the Northern Ireland box. Hendrikssen eventually finds himself in space just outside the area, but his low drive is easily blocked.
36 minGOAL! Faroe Islands 1-1 Northern Ireland (Joan Edmundsson)
36 minThe stadium is absolutely rocking as the Faroe Islands get back on level terms. It has to be said, this has been coming, as they've enjoyed the majority of the possession in the last 10 minutes. Sonni Nattestad send a low cross in from the right, which goes straight through to Edmundsson, who smashes it into the top left corner from close range. It's a clinical effort from the midfielder.
38 minThe hosts clearly think that they can go into the break ahead if they keep this up as they're quickly on the charge against, with Benjaminsen and Nattestad getting the ball to the edge of the box, but the visitors get numbers back to deal with it.
40 minNorthern Ireland soon make their way back down the other end, with Lafferty winning yet another corner. Norwood continues to curl the ball in, finding Dallas, but the midfielder's finish is woeful, as he scuffs is straight back in the direction it came from.
43 minNorthern Ireland have a lot more urgency about them since conceding, with Davis making his way down the right before looking to get a cross in towards Lafferty, but the keeper is ready for it.
45 minCHANCE! Lafferty has a golden opportunity to restore Northern Ireland's lead as Davis crosses the ball in for the striker. The keeper is off his line, leaving the striker with an open goal, but he just times his header a fraction early, looping it over the crossbar.
45+1 minHALF TIME: Faroe Islands 1-1 Northern Ireland
8.33pmSo, at the interval it's all square, with Joan Edmundsson cancelling out an early effort from Gareth McAuley. Michael O'Neill will be happy with how his side responded after letting in the equaliser, but they had given the home side far too much time on the ball before that, barely getting a shot since opening the scoring in the 12th minute.
8.36pmIn the opening 45 minutes, both sides had 50% of the possession. The visitors had six shots, half of which were on target, while the Faroes had just three, but all of their efforts were on target. Meanwhile, both sides had a player booked early on, so Conor McLaughlin and Joan Edmundsson will have to be careful after the break to make sure they make it to the full-time whistle.
8.40pmHere's Steven Davis doing battle with Christian Holst during the first half. The Northern Ireland skipper has looked sharp down the right flank, although the visitors have tended to focus on playing it down the left through Stuart Dallas.
Captain Steven Davis coming away with the ball, pics by Presseye #DareToDream #GAWA #FROvNIR pic.twitter.com/vUCHzLBt74
— Official Irish FA (@OfficialIrishFA) September 4, 20158.44pmMichael O'Neill has options on the bench should he want to make changes, including Will Grigg and Billy McKay. In truth, the visitors haven't done much wrong, they just didn't make the most of their chances when they were on top, and didn't pressure the Faroes enough when they were on the ball. If they can start the second half like they started the first, it shouldn't be anything for Northern Ireland to worry about.
8.46pmUPDATE: The other two games in this match, Romania vs. Hungary and Finland vs. Greece are also level, with both fixtures remaining 0-0 at the break.
46 minRESTART! The action gets back underway in the Faroe Islands.
47 minThe two captains have a bit of a coming together, with Benjaminsen catching Davis in the back of the head with a flailing arm. The Northern Ireland skipper isn't happy, but the referee lets it go.
49 minNorthern Ireland have started to dominate possession again, with Dallas unleashing a driven effort from just outside the box, before Baird attempts to cross in from the right a couple of minutes later, but the home side do just enough to keep their opponents out.
52 minThe Faroe Islands go on the attack for the first time since the restart, with Holst and Edmundsson working together to try to get the ball into the box, but the latter's cross in for Sorensen is cleared by Jonny Evans, who has had a relatively quiet night so far.
55 minBaird almost gifts the Faroe Islands a second as he loses out the Vatnhamar in the middle. He plays it forward for Edmundsson, who sets up Hendriksson for the host, but the midfielder fails to connect with his ambitious overhead kick. Hansson and Edmundsson both rush to the loose ball, but get in each other's way, and the chance goes begging.
58 minDallas is dragged back by Hellur Hansson, who is lucky to avoid a yellow card, but he does give away a free kick in a promising position, but Nattistad beats McAuley to the ball and heads it behind for a corner.
60 minCHANCE! A long ball over the top drops nicely for Kyle Lafferty just of the left of the goal. He slices his volley towards the goal, but Jonas Tor Naes is in the right place at the right time to make the block.
62 minThe Faroes charge back down the other end, allowing Sorensen to send a dangerous cross in towards Hendrikssen, but McAuley beats the midfielder to it, heading it out of the visitors' penalty area.
64 minRED CARD! (Joan Edmundsson!)
64 minFaroe Islands goalscorer Joan Edmundsson had to careful after picking up a booking just six minutes into the match, but he loses his cool, desperately lunging late into Oliver Norwood from behind, earning himself another booking. That's a huge loss for the hosts, he's been one of their best players, but leaves them a man short for the rest of this match, and will miss the tie with Finland on Monday.
67 minSteven Davis immediately tries to take advantage of the red card, rifling the ball through the middle towards Lafferty, who sprints after it, but is a step slow, leaving it to go out for a Faroes throw in. It's worth remembering that Lafferty hasn't actually played for his club yet this season, so this is his first match since the draw with Romania back in June.
69 minCHANCE! Norwood makes an excellent run from midfield, rounding two defenders to meet a long ball forward from Davis, but he hesitates, waiting to see if he is flagged offside, giving the keeper time to brace himself for the shot.
70 minSUB! Michael O'Neill makes the first change of the match just as the already-booked Conor McLaughlin gives away another free kick. Not wanting to risk the defender following Edmundsson down the tunnel prematurely, the Northern Ireland manager takes off the defender, replacing him with Josh Magennis.
71 minGOAL! Faroe Islands 1-2 Northern Ireland (Gareth McAuley)
71 minGareth McAuley shows amazing commitment to head in his second goal of the night. It comes from a free kick, which Baird curls in from near the corner flag. McAuley has already nodded in once from a set piece, and he does so again, climbing above Faero, landing heavily on his shoulders, but he quickly leaps back to his feet in celebration.
72 minBOOKING! It's all getting a bit scrappy as Josh Magennis picks up a booking for bringing down Holst almost straight from the restart. There wasn't a great deal in it, but the players have been testing the referee's patience more in the last 10 minutes or so, so he makes an example of the striker.
74 minBrunt and Dallas try to work the ball down the left flank looking to set up a third for Northern Ireland. The visitors have already let a lead slip once, albeit before the hosts were reduced to 10 men. However, Nattestad takes the ball away from Brunt.
76 minGOAL! Faroe Islands 1-3 Northern Ireland (Kyle Lafferty)
76 minThat should be the three points in the bag, and it's real determination from Josh Magennis and Kyle Lafferty that results in the goal for the latter. The substitute brings down a high ball over the top, battling to stop Faero putting it behind for a corner to pull it back for Lafferty. The striker is closely marked, but just stretches his foot far enough to scuff it past the keeper from a tight angle.
77 minSUB! The hosts make their first change, replacing Christian Holst with Pol Johannes Justinussen.
78 minSUB! With one eye on Monday's match against Hungary, Michael O'Neill withdraws Kyle Lafferty, sending on Paddy McNair.
81 minThe Faroe Islands seem to have let their heads drop following the third Northern Ireland goal, allowing the visitors to control possession. McAuley and Brunt pass the ball around at the back, not really looking to press any more.
82 minSUB! Brandur Hendriksen makes way for Kaj Leo Bartalstovu for the home side.
83 minSUB! The visitors also make a change, taking off Brunt, who like Lafferty was just one booking from a suspension. Shane Ferguson replaces him.
86 minOFF THE POST! Davis plays a perfectly-weighted through-ball to Magennis, who take a touch before striking it low and hard towards the bottom left. Nielsen just gets his fingertips to it, turning it onto the post and away, denying the striker his first international goal.
88 minSUB! The hosts make their final change, replacing captain Frodi Benjaminsen with Rogvi Baldvinsson, who once had a two-week spell with Bristol Rovers.
90+1 minThe visitors are just passing the ball around the back again, they really don't have to try to create anything if there are no players in space up front. Hansson pressures Baird though, and manages to win a free kick for the home side, who have a chance to secure a late consolation.
90+2 minCHANCE! Hansson lines it up from 25 yards out, and curls it over the wall, but it's always rising, and ends up comfortably clearing the crossbar.
90+3 minCHANCE! McNair wants to make a late impact for the visitors, bringing the ball out from the back before unleashing a ferocious strike from 25 yards out, but it goes behind.
90+4 minFULL TIME: Faroe Islands 1-3 Northern Ireland
9.37pmAfter a tricky first half, Northern Ireland come good in the second half to leave themselves in a position to clinch qualification on Monday when the host Hungary.
9.39pmKyle Lafferty's goal sees him tied with Gareth Bale as the second-highest goalscorer in Euro 2016 qualifying so far, while Gareth McAuley will be pleased to have scored a brace with a couple of well-taken headers from set pieces.
9.40pmSo, that's all from this match, but make sure you join us again tomorrow for more Euro 2016 qualifiers, and definitely check back on Monday to see if Northern Ireland can clinch their spot in next summer's tournament. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.
