Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
El of a big win over Spaniards
NORTHERN Ireland boosted their Euro 2019 play-off qualification hopes with a hard-earned win over Group 2 leaders Spain last night.
Spain had already secured a place in next summer’s finals with seven straight wins.
But Ian Baraclough’s men produced a resolute display at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte in Albacete following two goals inside the opening 10 minutes through Shayne Lavery and a penalty by captain Liam Donnelly.
Celtic keeper Conor Hazard saved a Spain spot kick just before the interval.
Although the home side reduced the deficit through Rafa Mir in stoppage time, it was not enough to deny Northern Ireland a memorable victory.
The visitors, who beat Luxembourg 1-0 in a friendly on Thursday, got off to a flying start through Everton forward Lavery after just four minutes.
Northern Ireland then doubled their lead after
Paul Smyth had been brought down in the penalty area by Francis Guerrero.
Motherwell defender Donnelly, making a record 22nd U21 international appearance, made no mistake from the spot, slotting into the bottom corner.
Spain could have reduced the deficit just before half-time when Ryan Johnson fouled Borja Mayoral.
Hazard, though, guessed correctly down to his right to deny the young Real Madrid forward who is on a season loan at Levante.
Spain could only find a way through in stoppage time when Mir was set up by Mayoral as Baraclough’s men closed out a fine result.