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Slovakia win 1-0 and battle with Germany for top spot
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Netherlands nearly there after draw in Poland
Michael O’Neill fumed at a goal that “should clearly have been disallowed” after Northern Ireland’s hopes of progressing from World Cup qualifying Group A were ended by the Slovakia debutant Tomas Bobcek in a 1-0 stoppage-time defeat in Kosice.
Bobcek, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, prodded in after Bailey Peacock-Farrell failed to deal with a corner, but Northern Ireland were enraged that a foul was not given as Daniel Ballard had gone down under pressure from Leo Sauer.
Written by Agencies
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/14/world-cup-2026-qualifying-roundup-northern-ireland-in-playoffs-after-defeat under the title “World Cup 2026 qualifying roundup: Northern Ireland in playoffs despite loss”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
