Croatia

World Cup 2026 qualifying roundup: Northern Ireland in playoffs despite loss

14-Nov-2025 22:57:48 | Guardian

• Slovakia win 1-0 and battle with Germany for top spot

• 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.