WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GROUP C HRISSY

free kick over the bar. O’neill decided to replace Norwood with George Saville at the break and the Millwall midfielder almost made an instant impact.

Saville played a one-two with QPR striker Washington but, just as he prepared to pull the trigger, the covering Meling managed to get a challenge in.

There were faint appeals for a penalty but nothing more.

Norway had an Alexander Soderlund effort ruled out for offside before Lars Lagerback’s men opened the scoring on 71 minutes.

Alexander Sorloth fed Johansen and the former Celtic star’s looping cross ended up in the roof of net via Mcgovern’s right hand and Brunt’s left foot.

Afterwards boss O’neill rued: “We’re disappointed to lose the game and it was a goal of our own doing. I haven’t seen it back but it was a goal that was probably preventable.”

He added: “It’s unfortunate Chris Brunt got booked late in the game because it puts another player on a booking.” Substitute Kyle Lafferty almost offered an instant reply but his close-range effort from a Stuart Dallas volley was tipped wide, before Conor Mclaughlin’s shot on the turn in a crowded area was saved by Nyland.

Saville then spurned a glorious chance to equalise late on when he blazed a Dallas knockdown over the bar, before Mcgovern denied Tarik Elyounoussi with a sprawling save in added time.

The unlucky Soderlund had another ‘goal’ ruled out for offside after he stroked home in the 93rd minute with virtually the last kick of the game.

It would end in defeat for the visitors but now all eyes will turn to October 16 when the FIFA rankings will be published to help decide the four seeded nations for the eight-team play-off.

Will Northern Ireland – who were 20th in the world last month – be one of the four highest ranked?

Time will tell. Maybe we’ll need that Enigma Code machine after all.

SPOT OF CONTROVERSY George Saville takes a tumble in the Norway box but referee said no penalty LIVELY Stuart Dallas takes on Norway defence stars. We are well organised and we play for each other and the shirt. “We will make life and aim to make life...

won’t be as tough as playing Germany. “We have played Germany twice this campaign and acquitted ourselves well. “The players know what the challenge will be but there’s no fear.” While delighted to seal a play-off spot, O’neill was frustrated to end...