Davis pen miss as NI bid for automatic spot in Euro finals ends in Belfast

The stage was set for another one of those unforgettable Windsor Park nights that would go down in Northern Ireland's folklore.

Victory over the Netherlands would keep slim automatic Euro finals qualification hopes alive.

It would also have been the perfect home send-off for the departing Michael O'Neill.

But in the end, it was just too much to ask even for these never-say-die group of players.

And they came so close to achieving their Mission Impossible.

A first-half penalty was just what they needed...

Up stepped record cap-breaking midfielder Steven Davis. With his experience and calm influence there was no-one else you would want to step up to the plate when the pressure was on.

But the Rangers star blasted the ball high over the bar and the scoreline stayed 0-0.

There were a few other good chances to seal it through a glancing Josh Magennis header and a near-miss from Corry Evans, but the scoreline remained the same.

Northern Ireland now face Germany on Tuesday knowing that the automatic path to next summer's finals is now blocked off.

But they can go through via a guaranteed play-off with the added bonus of O'Neill promising to still be at the helm.

Overall, it was a solid display against the Dutch who have world-class players in every department.

Once again, Jonny Evans was immense in the heart of the defence with Paddy McNair impressing in midfield.

How they lined out:

Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell; Corry Evans (Niall McGinn, 70), Craig Cathcart, Jonny Evans, Jamal Lewis (Jordan Thompson, 81), Paddy McNair, Steven Davis, George Saville (Michael Smith, 58), Stuart Dallas, Josh Magennis, Gavin Whyte

Netherlands: Holland: (4-3-3): Jasper Cillessen; Joel Veltman, Matthjis de Ligt, Virgil van Dijk, Danny Blind; Marten de Roon (Davy Propper, 37), Donny van de Beek, Frenkie de Jong; Steven Berghuis (Luuk de Jong, 65), Ryan Babel (Nathan Ake, 90), Quincy Promes

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