Match report

Northern Ireland Defeats Slovakia 2-0 in World Cup Qualification

Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
2–0
FT
Slovakia
Slovakia
Oct 10, 2025

Northern Ireland secured a vital 2-0 victory against Slovakia in their World Cup qualification match. The match opened with an own goal from Slovakia's P. Hrosovsky, assisted by Ethan Galbraith, and Trai Hume sealed the win late in the game with a powerful strike. The win puts Northern Ireland firmly on course for their World Cup bid.

Key Facts

  • • Northern Ireland defeated Slovakia 2-0
  • • Own goal by P. Hrosovsky for Northern Ireland at 18'
  • • Trai Hume scored the second goal at 81'
  • • D. Ballard and C. Bradley received yellow cards for Northern Ireland
  • • Five substitutions made by Slovakia throughout the match

Lineups

Northern Ireland

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 1 B. Peacock-Farrell (G)
  • 5 T. Hume (D)
  • 4 D. Ballard (D)
  • 17 P. McNair (D)
  • 2 C. Bradley (M)
  • 16 A. McCann (M)
  • 19 S. Charles (M)
  • 14 I. Price (M)
  • 15 J. Devenny (M)
  • 7 E. Galbraith (F)
  • 18 J. Reid (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 C. Hazard
  • 23 L. Southwood
  • 3 E. Toal
  • 6 G. Saville
  • 8 C. Marshall
  • 9 D. Charles
  • 10 J. Donley
  • 11 P. Smyth
  • 13 R. McConville
  • 20 B. Spencer
  • 21 J. Magennis
  • 22 J. McDonnell

Slovakia

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Dubravka (G)
  • 6 N. Gyomber (D)
  • 5 L. Satka (D)
  • 14 M. Skriniar (D)
  • 4 A. Obert (D)
  • 21 M. Bero (M)
  • 13 P. Hrosovsky (M)
  • 8 O. Duda (M)
  • 18 I. Schranz (F)
  • 15 D. Strelec (F)
  • 7 L. Sauer (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 M. Rodak
  • 23 D. Takac
  • 2 P. Pekarik
  • 3 I. Mesik
  • 9 R. Bozenik
  • 10 L. Benes
  • 11 L. Tupta
  • 16 S. Kozlovsky
  • 17 L. Haraslin
  • 19 T. Rigo
  • 20 D. Duris
  • 22 S. Mraz

Timeline

  1. Northern Ireland
    18' Northern Ireland Goal · Own Goal
    P. Hrosovsky · Assist: Ethan Galbraith
  2. Northern Ireland
    60' Northern Ireland Card · Yellow Card
    D. Ballard

    Argument

  3. Slovakia
    63' Slovakia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: I. Schranz · On: L. Haraslín
  4. Slovakia
    63' Slovakia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Duda · On: T. Rigo
  5. Northern Ireland
    71' Northern Ireland subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Reid · On: D. Charles
  6. Northern Ireland
    76' Northern Ireland Card · Yellow Card
    C. Bradley

    Foul

  7. Northern Ireland
    81' Northern Ireland Goal · Normal Goal
    Trai Hume
  8. Slovakia
    82' Slovakia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Sauer · On: Ľ. Tupta
  9. Northern Ireland
    85' Northern Ireland subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Ethan Galbraith · On: Brodie Spencer
  10. Slovakia
    89' Slovakia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: P. Hrosovsky · On: L. Bénes
  11. Slovakia
    89' Slovakia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: D. Strelec · On: S. Mraz
  12. Northern Ireland
    90'+2 Northern Ireland subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Bradley · On: J. Magennis

Match Stats

Stat Northern Ireland Slovakia
Fouls 14 12
Pass Accuracy 70% 81%
Offsides 3 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 11 7
Corners 6 4
Total Passes 298 502
Yellow Cards 2 0
Blocked Shots 4 4
Shots on Target 4 2
xG 0.57 1.07
Shots off Target 3 1
Possession 38% 62%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 210 409
Shots Inside Box 4 4
Saves 2 4
Shots Outside Box 7 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Northern Ireland's early own goal by P. Hrosovsky gave them a psychological advantage and control over the game
  • ▸ Trai Hume's second goal at 81' ensured Northern Ireland's victory and solidified their qualification hopes