Northern Ireland 3-0 San Marino - Hosts get back to winning ways with victory in Euro 2024 qualifying

After five defeats in a row, Northern Ireland got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over San Marino that could perhaps have delivered more.

Two early goals should have set the home side up for a cricket score, but ultimately took the energy out of the match and led Northern Ireland to settle in for a lethargic afternoon against San Marino.

The opener came after five minutes, as moments after his first shot whistled over the bar, Paul Smyth leapt up acrobatically to a Jamal Lewis cross to scissor kick the ball out of the reach of the San Marino goalkeeper.

Six minutes later, Smyth turned the provider, passing neatly to Josh Magennis in the middle, with the Wigan forward parking the ball comfortably in the net.

Although they had plenty of possession, and an abundance of passes in the middle of the park, no more (legitimate) shots on target followed Magennis' goal, as the pace of the match reduced noticeably.

A stunning Smyth volley, which looped beautifully over Benedettini, looked good from all angles except the video referee’s perspective as he denied Northern Ireland their third.

A lacklustre second half was brought into life in the closing minutes following a series of substitutions.

First Isaac Price, then Callum Marshall, came close to making it 3-0 on 66 minutes. Conor McMenamin did just that 15 minutes later, tucking in a rebound from the angle after Conor Washington was put through to force the save.

San Marino refused to throw in the towel but were reduced to damage limitation by the end.

The final action of the match saw Paddy McNair receive a yellow card that will see him miss Tuesday’s match against Slovenia.

The result, in Michael O’Neill’s first home game back at Windsor Park, after five defeats on the spin, was of course the most important thing, but Northern Ireland were never likely not to lose out on three points against the worst side in world football. And once they scored the second, before a quarter of an hour had been played, they had a chance to up the energy and the creativity and have a bit of fun with the ball. Instead Northern Ireland switched to a bafflingly conservative tactic, as if they were on a possession bonus.

Perhaps they were trying to conserve energy for Tuesday, and what will be much more of a test against Slovenia, but the pace of play was too slow and they did not take enough low percentage shots. Only after the second round of substitutions was the crowd treated to more excitement. The third goal was no less than Northern Ireland deserved, but the players might feel more could have been made of the game.

A bright opening twenty minutes which saw the QPR forward bag himself a goal and an assist, and effectively kill the game before it had even gotten going. His first finish was spectacular, as he leapt up acrobatically to scissor in a cross. The setup for Josh Magennis, who scored Northern Ireland's second, was smooth and stylish. He may not officially have a third, after the video his decided his looping volley was offside but "I'm claiming two anyway," he joked afterwards. "I'm going to put it on the socials." Who will remember in a week, let alone this time next year?

NORTHERN IRELAND: Hazard 5; Hume 5, Evans 5, Ballard 6, Lewis 6, McNair 6, Thompson 5, Charles 5, Smyth 8, Taylor 6, Magennis 7… Subs: Saville 5, McMenamin 6, Washington 6, Price 6, Marshall 6, Spencer 5

SAN MARINO: Benedettini 6; Battistini 5, Fabri 4; Di Maio 4; Rossi 5, Franciosi 5, Golinucci 6, Capicchioni 6; Lazzari 6, Nani 5, Vitaioli 5... Subs: D’Addario 5, Ceccaroli 5, Lunadei 6, Mularoni 5

5’ - GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 1 - 0 SAN MARINO Well, that didn't take long. After his first shot whistled over the bar, moments later Smyth's second found the net in sublime style. Jamal Lewis it was who crossed in from the right, and Smyth lifted his whole body up to scissor it far out of reach of the San Marino goalkeeper.

11’ - GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 2 - 0 SAN MARINO What a start fom the home side. This time Smyth, who has been involved in everything so far, set up Josh Magennis with a neat little pass from the right. Magennis had no problem knocking that one in from six yards out. There was a momentary pause for possible handball in the build-up but the goal is allowed.

31’ - GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 3 - 0 SAN MARINO Paul Smyth again! A great long ball from defender Jonny Evans which Smyth takes first time and loops over the goalkeeper's head. A question of offside sends it to the VAR control room. We await the verdict.

33’ - GOAL DISALLOWED After an interminable wait, Paul Smyth's brilliant finish is ruled out by the powers that be. There really can’t have been much in that. The home crowd aren’t too happy, but can’t muster much more than a rumble of a boo.

61 - GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 3 - 0 SAN MARINO - Conor McMenamin gets his first international goal, moments after coming on. A good run from Conor Washington who is put through and forces a decent save from Benedettini, but the ball only comes out as far as McMenamin who tucks it in from the angle.

San Marino have now gone 133 games without a win. Their last victory came in 2004 - before Northern Ireland's Shea Charles and Dale Taylor were born.

If they win their remaining three games, Northern Ireland can finish the qualifying period with a maximum of 15 points, but the current points in Group H and remaining matches between other sides mean that would still not be enough to qualify for the tournament.