Last night was a huge one for a few of our first-team stars, with Ryan Fraser, Jamaal Lewis and Martin Dubravka all hoping to see their country qualify for Euro 2021.
A hamstring injury meant Ryan Fraser wasn’t fit to play, but he will have been a keen spectator for Scotland’s Euro 2021 play-off final against Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic’s – who ended up missing the key penalty to send the Scotts through!
In the other decider, the sidelined Martin Dubravka was also forced to watch on as his Slovakia side took on a Northern Ireland team that featured our very own Jamal Lewis at left-back.
Starting with Ryan Fraser and former NUFC coach Steve Clarke, the Scotts were minutes away from qualification after Ryan Christie’s first half strike, but were sent into extra time via a 90th minute header from Luka Jovic.
In the end, there was no goals in extra time and Scotland held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to qualify for next June’s European Championships for the first time in 23 years!
Ironically, the win was handed to them by none other than Aleksandar Mitrovic, who missed Serbia’s final spot kick to hand Scotland a 5-4 win on penalties:
Great news for Ryan Fraser – which sees Scotland named in England’s group for Euro 2020 – however it was a mixed night for the other two Mags hoping to progress last night.
Jamal Lewis looked on course for heartache as Northern Ireland trailed 1-0 to Slovakia with five minutes remaining of their Euro 2020 play-off, however an 88th minute own goal from Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar gave them a lifeline late on.
Former Mag Shane Ferguson then came as the game went into extra time, however it was Slovakia who won it late on via this goal from Michal Duris in the 110th minute:
A tough one to take for Jamal Lewis, but this win will mean the world to Martin Dubravka, who will almost certainly be their No 1 next year once he’s fit again following a recent heel injury.
Elsewhere on Thursday night, Jeff Hendrick had a very mixed game as his Republic of Ireland side lost 3-0 to England at Wembley.
Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE
