Magennis double sets O’neill’s men on road to victory and a step closer to finals

Northern Ireland are on the brink of securing second place in their World Cup qualifying group after beating San Marino 3-0 to record their fourth successive victory.

Never before in the nation’s history have they won four on the spin, although they needed 70 minutes to eventually break down the microstate, at which point they scored three in eight minutes, two through Josh Magennis and one from a Steven Davis penalty.

Earlier, skipper Davis volleyed wide from a Chris Brunt corner cleared out to him while Magennis, pictured, and Norwood both directed headers off target from set-pieces.

Norwood looked like the one man in a white shirt who could unlock a back five that was supplemented by the other five outfield players and he fed Kyle Lafferty, who rounded goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini but was pushed too wide.

The Hearts forward’s chip to the back post did not reach Washington and though the attack was kept alive by Norwood again, two San Mari- no defenders diverted Davis’ effort over the top. It was still goalless at halftime after Washington missed a glorious opening and Magennis’ header came back off a post, and manager Michael O’neill was growing increasingly tetchy. Howev er, when Simoncini brilliantly denied Magennis on the line, the ball was kept alive by Davis and he coolly squared for Magennis to ease the tension with the 70th-minute opener.

The former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock attacker was on hand to add a second when nodding in from Washington’s squared ball and the travelling Green and White Army thought a player that had only scored one international goal before was on course for a hattrick when Alex Gasperoni handled in the area. Normal spot-kick taker Davis assumed responsibilities, though, and wrapped up the points.