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.
However, O’Neill’s side ended the night assured of a qualifying play-off place via the Nations League after Croatia beat the Faroe Islands 3-1, but frustration was the primary emotion.
