Dream still alive as the road to Russia just got shorter ...

By Nigel Gould at the National Stadium at Windsor Park

The Green and White Army’s daring to dream once again …

On yet another memorable night in Belfast, Northern Ireland took yet another giant step on their incredible journey.

A 2-0 win over Norway means double figure points at the halfway stage – and keeps Michael O’Neill’s men very much in the world cup qualifying mix.

To a man, they were superb – full of energy, desire, passion and dogged determination.

There was even room for a little showboating cameo with a fancy footwork interchange between Chris Brunt and Stuart Dallas.

Yet again Captain Fantastic Steven Davis was outstanding – controlling the midfield like a little General, spraying passes all over the pitch.

Deservedly he earned yet another man-of-the-match accolade. And Jamie Ward – the smallest man in the pitch – was simply majestic getting a deserved round-the stadium applause after making way for Niall McGinn with about 20 minutes left on the clock.

Michael McGovern was for the most part an interested observer but when called upon he pulled off a magnificent save from a rasping daisy cutter shot.

As for the 12th man, the GAWA was again in fine voice – applauding every shot and pass from start to finish and ensuring the Norwegians were reduced to the odd shot here and there.

Norway may be famous for its fjords but defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland has left them with a mountain to climb.

Lars Lagerback must have wondered what he’d done – up sticks and leaving Iceland after their Euro heroics to take over the Norwegian helm. Norway’s ranked 81st in the world and not qualified for a major tournament since the Euros in 2000.

If last night is anything to go by that does not look like changing any time soon.

They’re now seven points off Northern Ireland – and needing a miracle.

As for the lads in Green and White, the road to Russia is looking just a little bit closer tonight …