It’s three and easy at Windsor Park as Northern Ireland overcome San Marino
Northern Ireland 3 San Marino 0
Conor McMenamin scored Northern Ireland's third goal
Josh Magennis celebrates Northern Ireland's second goal
Northern Ireland players arrive at the stadium before Saturday’s UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier against San Marino
Five straight defeats torpedoed Northern Ireland's hopes of making it to the Euro 2024 finals next summer but at least they avoided the humiliation of a Windsor Park loss to a team dubbed the worst in the world.
Michael O'Neill's men were quick out of the blocks and two early goals against San Marino banished fears of a new crushing low in their frustrating qualifying campaign.
Queens Park Rangers winger Paul Smyth's dazzling display featured his first competitive goal with Josh Magennis and Conor McMenamin also on target in the 3-0 victory.
It was a comfortable afternoon's work for the home side whose two wins in Group H have come against the basement side.
There was a special moment before kick off as Jonny Evans received his 100th cap from Northern Ireland legend Pat Jennings.
The cheers for Evans were soon replaced with jeers for Casement Park as the supporters made their feelings known about the stadium's inclusion in the Euro 2028 bid.
O'Neill made several changes to his starting side, drafting in Plymouth stopper Conor Hazard for Bailey Peacock-Farrell while Jamal Lewis and Jordan Thompson came in and George Saville settled for a place on the bench.
Smyth, Magennis and Dale Taylor were asked to put San Marino to the sword and they obliged.
By the 11th minute the hosts were 2-0 in front and cruising, banishing any early nerves.
Taylor's flicked effort from Smyth's cross flew past the woodwork but in the fifth minute O'Neill's men edged ahead.
Smyth rifled home a
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