Slovakia 1-0 Northern Ireland: Report, result, goals as visitors earn 2026 World Cup play-off place despite defeat
Slovakia scored a late winner at home to Northern Ireland
Tomas Bobcek’s 91st-minute winner condemned Northern Ireland to defeat and set Slovakia up for a winner-takes-all decider with Germany in 2026 World Cup qualifying on a night when the visitors secured a play-off place courtesy of other results.
Croatia’s victory at home to the Faroe Islands means Michael O’Neill’s side will contest a two-legged decider to reach next year’s tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico because they will be one of the highest-placing Nations League group winners in European qualifying.
Slovakia, who must win in Germany on Monday to avoid the play-offs, had a Lukas Haraslin strike ruled out for offside during the second half before David Strelec found the net but was thwarted following a Video Assistant Referee review.
Substitute Bobcek made amends to put the Falcons level on points with the group leaders, firing the close-range winner from Laszlo Benes’ corner before Northern Ireland centre-back Dan Ballard was dismissed for a second caution.
Table of Contents
2026 World Cup playoffs dates
The top team from each of the 12 European Qualifier groups proceeds automatically to the finals, which will be expanded to 48 teams.
The 12 runners-up in each group will join four Nations League teams in the play-offs, which will be drawn from pots based on teams’ records during the campaign and take place on March 26 and 31 2026.
The games will comprise single-leg semi-finals and finals, with the draw for the World Cup finals taking place in December 2025. The tournament runs from June 11 until July 19 2026.
Slovakia lineup vs Northern Ireland
Defender David Hancko and midfielder Stanislav Lobotka returned for Slovakia but midfielders Mario Sauer and Ondrej Duda and forward Adrian Kapralik were out.
Slovakia starting XI: Martin Dubravka, Adam Obert, Norbert Gyomber, Milan Skriniar, David Strelec, David Hancko, Lukas Haraslin, Tomas Rigo, David Duris, Matus Bero, Stanislav Lobotka
Slovakia substitutes: Marek Rodak, Dominik Takac, Peter Pekarik, Denis Vavro, Ivan Mesik, Leo Sauer, Tomas Bobcek, Robert Bozenik, Laszlo Benes, Lubomir Tupta, Patrik Hrosovsky, Ivan Schranz
Northern Ireland lineup vs Slovakia
Northern Ireland had a host of injury issues, with first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles still unavailable and his brother, midfielder Shea, absent from the midfield with a hamstring problem.
Ali McCann was out with a broken arm and fellow midfielder Ethan Galbraith was banned. Defender Brodie Spencer was out but Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley was back from suspension as captain.
Dion Charles came in for Jamie Reid, with Ruairi McConville in defence and Brad Lyons and George Saville in midfield.
Northern Ireland starting XI: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard, Ruairi McConville, Paddy McNair, Justin Devenny, Conor Bradley, George Saville, Brad Lyons, Isaac Price, Dion Charles
Northern Ireland substitutes: Luke Southwood, Conor Hazard, Jamal Lewis, Terry Devlin, Callum Marshall, Jamie Donley, Paul Smyth, Jamie Reid, Patrick Kelly, Jamie McDonnell, Josh Magennis, Ciaron Brown