Kazakhstan 1-0 Northern Ireland: Maksim Samorodov strike all but ends Michael O'Neill's side's Euro 2024 dream

Kazakhstan beat Northern Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying, winning 1-0 at the Astana Arena.

Kazakhstan started the match impressively. The home side moved the ball well with sharp, short passes to evade Northern Ireland’s press before looking to move the ball wide where wing-backs Erkin Tapalov and Yan Vorogovsky consistently found space. Their deliveries lacked quality at times but the Kazakhstan team worked well to win the ball back out of possession and keep pressure on Northern Ireland.

They would get their reward for their play in the 27th minute when Abzal Beysebekov found Maksim Samorodov on the edge of the box, Samorodov used some neat footwork to get away from Daniel Ballard before firing into the bottom corner.

Northern Ireland would have the chance to make things level at the end of the first half when Conor McMenamin’s shot seemed destined for the back of the net before being stopped on the line by Yan Vorogovsky and then cleared to safety by Nuraly Alip.

Northern Ireland came out the better side in the second half, they looked to attack with more intent and had Kazakhstan under pressure for the opening 15 minutes. Despite this Northern Ireland failed to break down Kazakhstan’s sturdy defence and the game became more even once changes were made for the home side in the 70th minute.

Kazakhstan managed the game well and were able to see out the remainder of the match to secure the 1-0 victory and confirm their double over Northern Ireland in this Euro 2024 Group H qualifying campaign.

With this win Kazakhstan sit second in Group H, putting themselves in a great position to qualify for their first major international tournament. From their opening six matches in the group Kazakhstan have picked up four wins including a thrilling 3-2 victory over Denmark, who many have as favourites for the group. It is a real possibility that Kazakhstan could be playing in their first Euros next summer and their fans are starting to believe, they were electric as a packed-out Astana Arena got behind their team.

Nuraly Alip was a rock at the back for Kazakhstan. The Zenit centre-back was exceptional with his timing in the challenge and clever with his positioning to block shots from Northern Ireland’s attackers. As the match went on Alip’s performance became more impressive, leading his side in defence and they fought off the pressure from Northern Ireland. The 23-year-old’s moment came just before half time though, when he got back in time to clear the ball off of his own goal line to prevent a Northern Ireland equaliser.

Kazakhstan: Shatskiy 7, Tapalov 7, Bystrov 7, Marochkin 7, Alip 8, Vorogovsky 6, Zaynutdinov 6, Beysebekov 7, Tagybergen 7, Orazov 6, Samorodov 8.

Subs: Dosmagambetov 5, Kuat 6, Malyi 6, Darabayev 5, Aimbetov N/A.

Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell 7, Ballard 5, Evans 6, McNair 6, Hume 7, McCann 6, Saville 5, Charles 7, McMenamin 6, Kennedy 5, Washington 6.

Subs: Smyth 7, Thompson 6, Jones 6, Magennis 5, Charles N/A.

27' - GOAL FOR KAZAKHSTAN! Maksim Samorodov picks up the ball on the edge of the box and uses some neat trickery to get away from Ballard before firing into the bottom corner.

42' - GOAL LINE CLEARANCE! Northern Ireland attack quickly down the left-hand side and McMenamin's shot trickles towards the bottom corner before being stopped on the line by a sliding Vorogovsky and then cleared in the nick of time by Alip.

53' - NORTHERN IRELAND APPLYING PRESSURE The away side have started this second half the better team so far. They are working things well and look to be attacking the final third with real purpose. Will they find an equaliser here?

67' - NERVY FOR THE HOME SIDE Some sloppiness has started to creep into Kazakhstan's game in this second half. Northern Ireland's pressure seems to be causing poor passes and bad decision's for the home side.