WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GROUP C UNCED

And O’neill’s men sit on cusp of play-off berth for Russia

minutes when Baggies defender Brunt produced a moment of brilliance with his left foot for his third international goal.

A bustling run from Corry Evans (left), who worked his socks off in midfield, drew a free-kick 25 yards out and from the resulting set-piece Brunt arrowed a superb shot into the bottom corner.

Cue scenes of delirium inside a packed Windsor Park and chants of ‘It’s just like watching Brazil’ as O’neill’s men took a 2-0 lead into the break.

In keeping with the first half, the Czechs were on the front foot for most of the second period, but Karel Jarolim’s men were kept at bay.

The lively Darida fizzed a first time shot into Row Z before Jan Boril’s attempted volley inside the area was easily smothered by Mcgovern.

Northern Ireland weren’t to be denied another clean sheet and three points in South Belfast.

With one of the nine pool runnersup missing out on the eight-team playoffs in November,

O’neill will be keen to strengthen his hand in the final double header of the campaign next month.

It will be tough bolstering the current points tally at home to runaway group leaders Germany in Belfast on October 5 and against Norway in Oslo three days later.

It also remains to be seen if Northern Ireland can end up as one of the four seeded teams in the playoff draw which is scheduled for October 19. The Enigma Code calculations can wait for another day.

Let’s pause to celebrate the fact Northern Ireland finished second in a pool that included world champions Germany, the Czechs, Norway and a very capable Azerbaijan side.

Those who thought O’neill and his players would dine out on last year’s Euro odyssey, kick back and live off past feats were wrong.

A tally of 19 points from a possible 24 and a remarkable defensive record of seven clean sheets in eight pool games speaks for itself.

This Northern Ireland side deserves all the plaudits that come its way.

A stunning red skyline at Windsor Park The Windsor faithful were in full voice as usual SMILES BETTER Northern Ireland celebrate Chris Brunt’s free-kick which made it 2-0