Charles gets O’Neill off to a winning start

SAN MARINO 0 NORTHERN IRELAND 2

TWO goals from Bolton striker Dion Charles gave Michael O’Neill a winning start to his second spell as Northern Ireland manager. It was a comfortable rather than comprehensive victory over the lowest-ranked team in world football, who have not won a competitive game in 167 tries. But O’Neill will be satisfied to launch his Euro 2024 campaign on a positive note, having taken 20 months and 10 games to get a win in his first spell in charge. Not surprisingly, Northern Ireland dominated and Charles got his first senior international goal in the 24th minute when he stabbed home at the far post from Conor Washington’s cross.

He added another 10 minutes after half-time with a header from Jamal Lewis’ ball into the box which keeper Elia Benedettini and Roberto Di Maio could not quite prevent from going in. Nicola Nanni had the ball in the net for the minnows, but it was ruled out for offside.

O’Neill will now be looking forward to a Windsor Park homecoming in his second game against Finland on Sunday.

CRISTIANO RONALDO made a men’s world-record 197th international appearance for Portugal, scoring twice in last night’s 4-0 win over Liechtenstein.