Northern Ireland 1-0 Ukraine: Terry Devlin Stunner Puts O'Neill's Side a Point From League A

Terry Devlin picked the perfect moment for his first goal for Northern Ireland. His curling 25-yard strike gave Michael O’Neill’s side a 1-0 win over Ukraine at Windsor Park on Saturday night and left them one point away from the top tier of the Nations League.

The win sends Northern Ireland back to the top of League B Group 2 with 11 points from five games. A draw in Hungary on Tuesday would take them up to League A, which would be a first for the country.

Even if they lose in Budapest, they can finish no lower than second. That guarantees a promotion play-off and a place among the second seeds in next month’s Euro 2028 qualifying draw.

Devlin’s moment

The pressure was on before kick-off. Hungary had beaten Georgia 2-0 earlier on Saturday to go top, and Northern Ireland had drawn their previous two home games in the group 0-0.

The breakthrough came in the 68th minute. Northern Ireland played a short corner along the edge of the penalty area and the ball reached Devlin about 25 yards out. The 23-year-old Portsmouth midfielder curled it past Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who did not move.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to score my first international goal and for it to be the winner,” Devlin told BBC Sport NI. “It’s a quality I have, to score goals from outside the box, and I’ve got another one tonight.”

Long-range goals have become something of a habit for the former Glentoran player. He is Portsmouth’s top scorer in the Championship this season.

Charles keeps the clean sheet going

Northern Ireland thought they had scored in the 23rd minute. Isaac Price’s shot deflected off Ethan Galbraith and fell to Jamie Donley, who finished. However, the video assistant referee ruled it out for offside.

Ukraine had protested furiously because defender Illia Zabarnyi was off the pitch receiving treatment when the ball went in. The decision calmed things down. Trubin then made a double save from Donley and Shea Charles, and at the other end Pierce Charles stopped Olexiy Kashchuk’s attempt to squeeze the ball through his legs.

The biggest moment for the Northern Ireland goalkeeper came in the 90th minute. Kashchuk got behind the defence and cut the ball back to Anderlecht striker Danylo Sikan, who looked certain to equalise from close range. Charles, who plays for Queens Park Rangers, reacted brilliantly to block it with his feet.

That save kept Northern Ireland’s fifth straight clean sheet. BBC Sport says they are still the only team in the competition who have not conceded a goal.

O’Neill’s selection gamble pays off

O’Neill was without injured defenders Daniel Ballard and Conor Bradley. Rather than simply moving captain Trai Hume to right wing-back, he played Hume in a deeper midfield role, which made room for Devlin in the starting line-up.

“We knew we would get a tough game and we got that,” O’Neill said. “We got on top and were the dominant team in the second half.” He called Devlin’s goal “a great hit” and praised Charles’s late save.

“I’m delighted for Terry Devlin. He has worked so hard to get his chance,” the manager added.

The performance also showed how much this young team has learned. Their last home game, a goalless draw with Georgia, turned into an end-to-end scramble that frustrated O’Neill. This time Northern Ireland stayed patient, controlled the second half and waited for their chance.

After the final whistle, the players did a lap of the pitch as fans sang “We’re not Brazil, we’re Northern Ireland”.

What’s next: Hungary away

Northern Ireland go to Hungary on Tuesday for the final group game, knowing a point will be enough. They beat Ukraine 3-0 away in October, and they have not conceded a goal in five group games.

They will be without Donley, who is suspended after being booked for dissent for the second time in the group.

Sources: BBC Sport live coverage and match report (November 14, 2026).