Slovakia Vs Northern Ireland Highlights, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: SVK 1-0 NIR; Late Bobcek Winner Seals Top-2 Finish

The match kicks off at 1:15am IST. The Slovakia vs Northern Ireland, FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers match will be live streamed on the Sony LIV app and website in India. It will be telecast on the Sony Sports Ten 3 SD and HD TV channels in the country.

Check out Slovakia's line-up for the home fixture against Northern Ireland:

This is how Northern Ireland line up:

The match gets underway in Kosice. Slovakia kicking from right to left and Northern Ireland the other way in the first half. Remember that a top-two spot takes a team to the playoffs, while the first place in the group guarantees a World Cup berth.

Poland are taking on Netherlands concurrently in Group G, with both assured playoff spots following Malta's 1-0 win over Finland. Only one of them will get a direct berth, however, and Netherlands would become that team if they win tonight.

Dan Ballard is booked in the 23rd minute for a foul on Matus Bero, which means the centre-back will miss Northern Ireland's all-important next game against Luxembourg.

Northern Ireland come close to scoring soon after a free-kick, as Isaac Price's shot rolls across the Slovakia goal, where Dion Charles is hovering but cannot find that final touch in the 38th minute.

After two minutes of added time, the first half comes to an end with neither side finding the back of the net yet. It's been a closely contested match so far, and could be anybody's game, come the second half.

The players return from the lemon break and the second half kicks off. Slovakia now attacking from left to right and Northern Ireland the opposite way. A sole substitution post resumption, as Jamie Reid comes in for Dion Charles in the visiting camp.

Slovakia find the back of the net via a smart, low free-kick from Lukas Haraslin that scoots through past the wall and the goalie. But Northern Ireland protest that an offside Milan Skriniar came in the way, and the referee opts for VAR. The check concludes, and the goal is ruled out!

Another seeming Slovakia goal, another VAR check, and another disappointment for the home fans! David Strelec appears to nod through Lukas Haraslin's free-kick, but replays reveal it actually came off Strelec's arm instead. Northern Ireland heave a sigh of relief.

Germany have taken a 2-0 lead against Luxembourg, and are set to beat the minnows, as expected. They will go to 12 points and consolidate their lead in Group A if that happens. With Slovakia still locked 0-0 with Northern Ireland, they would reach 10 points if the scoreline stays this way in Kosice.

Slovakia unleash a couple of late substitutions. Tomas Bobcek is in for Norbert Gyomber and Robert Bozenik replaces David Strelec on the pitch. Meanwhile, a whopping eight minutes added as injury time.

What drama! Tomas Bobcek, who has just stepped in, makes an instant impact as he piles in Laszlo Benes' cross from his left foot. The ball zooms into the net in the first minute and Slovakia go into fervent celebrations, even as Northern Ireland appeal for a foul in the lead-up to the goal. Yet another VAR check ensues and this time, the goal stands and the celebrations continue in Kosice.

Dan Ballard is booked for the second time at the fag end of the match, which means Northern Ireland end it with 10 men. The final whistle is blown soon after, and Slovakia, by virtue of a 1-0 win, confirm a top-two finish in Group A. They will now visit Germany in a tantalizing face-off for the top spot, and thus direct WC berth. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland seal third place in the group, and get slotted in pot four in the playoffs.