Romania 1-1 Northern Ireland: Jamie Reid scores on debut in encouraging draw for Michael O'Neill's side
Jamie Reid scored just seven minutes into his international debut as Northern Ireland earned an encouraging 1-1 draw away to Romania.
Stevenage striker Reid, getting his first taste of international football aged 29, gave Michael O'Neill's men a dream start in Bucharest.
Euro 2024-bound Romania hit back when Dennis Man beat goalkeeper Conor Hazard in the 23rd minute, but O'Neill's side will take confidence from the way they faced up to a side now unbeaten in 12 games as Conor Bradley shone on his return to Northern Ireland duty.
Northern Ireland suffered a miserable Euro 2024 qualifying campaign last year, but this result - a repeat of the 1-1 draw in this stadium during Nations League play in 2020 - comes on the back of an encouraging 2-0 win over Denmark in their final Group H fixture in November. They will head into Tuesday's friendly against Scotland in Glasgow in a buoyant mood.
O'Neill's team selection reflected the "rebirth" he had spoken about on Thursday, with experience in short supply in the absence of Jonny Evans.
Reid may have been making his debut more than a decade after featuring for Northern Ireland U21s, but he was still the oldest player in a starting XI with an average age of 23.5.
His goal was created by two 20-year-olds, with Bradley bursting down the right before slipping the ball inside for Shea Charles on the edge of the box.
The shot was potentially on for the Southampton man, but Charles saw the run of Reid to his left and squared the ball. Reid, earning his chance after scoring 21 goals in 44 games for Stevenage this season, lifted it over Florin Nita and in off the underside of the crossbar.
Bradley was back in the side for the first time since June following injury, but the intervening period has
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