Evans’ Northern Ireland Edged In Euro Play-Off Finals
- Jonny Evans plays from start to finish in Northern Ireland’s 2-1 loss to Slovakia
- Evans’ nation were beaten in the final of the 2021 UEFA European Championships play-offs
- Goalkeeper Danny Ward registered a shutout against the USA in an international friendly in Swansea
- Young City shot-stopper Chituru Odunze was unused from the bench for the USA
Juraj Kucka’s opening strike had the visiting team in front heading into the final stages, but a Milan Skriniar own goal with just two minutes remaining meant the two sides could not be separated after normal time.
However, it was Michal Ďuriš’ 110th-minute winner that denied Evans and his nation a spot at the 2021 UEFA European Championship finals next summer.
Evans and his country will now turn their attentions to a double-header of UEFA Nations League matches, as they first face Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on Sunday before entertaining Romania three days later.
Meanwhile, City goalkeeper Danny Ward kept a clean sheet during his eighth appearance for Wales in a goalless international friendly draw with the USA.
Ward played 90 minutes at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, while City Academy goalkeeper Chituru Odunze was unused from the bench following his maiden senior call-up for the USA.
Ward will now focus on two Nations League matches, with Wales first hosting the Republic of Ireland on Sunday and then Finland three days later, while the USA take on Panama at the Stadion Wiener Neustadt in Austria.