Northern Ireland secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Ukraine on Friday, with Ciaron Brown scoring twice and Isaac Price also finding the net in their Nations League Group B2 clash in Trnava, Slovakia.
Defender Brown opened the scoring in the 13th minute after Ruairi McConville headed Kieran Morrison’s corner back across goal, allowing the Oxford defender to prod the ball home despite Illia Zabarnyi’s attempt to clear it off the line.
Northern Ireland doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute when Price finished off a counter-attack.
Morrison delivered a first-time cross into the box and Price struck firmly at the back post to register his first competitive international assist.
Ukraine dominated possession for long periods but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a well-organised Northern Ireland defence.
Georgiy Sudakov tested goalkeeper Pierce Charles in the 19th minute, while Eduard Sarapii also came close with a powerful effort that Charles saved.
Northern Ireland extended their lead in the 61st minute in unusual circumstances.
Brown rose to meet Charles’ free-kick from inside the Northern Ireland half, but his flick-on bounced towards goal and Ukraine goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk allowed the ball to slip through his legs and cross the line.
Ukraine substitute Matvii Ponomarenko later struck the outside of the post, but the hosts were unable to mount a comeback as Northern Ireland comfortably held on for a third consecutive match without conceding.
The victory lifted Northern Ireland to seven points from three matches and put them top of Group B2.
They will face Georgia in Belfast on Monday.
The match also marked Northern Ireland’s first competitive meeting with Ukraine since their famous 2-0 victory at Euro 2016.
