Slovakia To Appear In The European Cup Final For The Second Time In History

Slovak striker Michal Duris (right) celebrates the goal he scored against Northern Ireland, (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Michal Duris scored the winner in extra time to bring Slovakia to a 2-1 win over Northern Ireland, as well as advance to the Euro 2020 finals.

In the Euro 2020 qualifying playoff or European Cup Line B played at Windsor Park, Belfast, Slovakia took the lead through Juraj Kucka's goal in the 17th minute. The hosts then equalized with a Milan Skriniar own goal in the 88th minute, before Duris's goal in the 110th minute sealed victory for the visitors.

These results led Slovakia to appear in the European Cup finals for the second time in history. Previously they participated in the 2016 European Cup and managed to advance to the last 16.

After controlling the game at the start of the match, the Northern Ireland goal conceded. Slovakia broke the deadlock when Kucka took advantage of George Saville's error in heading the ball, before firing a shot into the home net.

Conceding one goal to make Northern Ireland appear more aggressive. Niall McGinn fired in a cross which goalkeeper Marek Rodak managed to push over the net.

Northern Ireland then had two opportunities from Josh Magennis and Stuart Dallas. But both of them were unable to convert into a return goal.

Northern Ireland's striving for a new equalizer paid off near the end of normal time. Patrick McNair ran down the sidelines, and his pass was accidentally tucked into the net by Skriniar.

But the hosts' excitement vanished when the match continued with extra time. Slovak substitute Duris scored the winner, when Kucka's pass was deflected onto Jonny Evans' back, and Duris was able to steal the ball to get a right-footed shot that paid off.

The composition of players according to the official UEFA page:

Northern Ireland (4-4-2): Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Stuart Dallas, Craig Cathcart (Tom Flanagan 99 '), Jonny Evans, Jamal Lewis, Niall McGinn (Kyle Lafferty 77'), Patrick McNair (Shane Ferguson 104 ') , Steven Davis, George Saville (Jordan Thompson 65 '), Josh Magennis (Liam Boyce 77'), Conor Washington (Gavin Whyte 66 ')

Slovakia (4-1-4-1): Marek Rodak, Peter Pekarik, Lubomir Satka, Milan Skriniar, Tomas Hubocan, Stanislav Lobotka (Patrik Hrosovsky 65 '), Juraj Kucka, Robert Mak (Michal Duris 65'), Albert Rusnak ( Norbert Gyomber 118 '), Marek Hamsik (Jan Gregus 106'), Ondrej Duda (Samuel Mraz85 ')