Euro heartache for Northern Ireland after playoff defeat

Northern Ireland have missed out on a place at the European Championship after an extra time defeat to Slovakia in the playoff final.

The visitors took an early lead after a defensive mistake allowed Juraj Kucka a clear run on goal, and it took until the 87th minute for Northern Ireland to equalise through an own goal.

However, Northern Irish hearts were broken in the 110th minute when the visitors saw substitute Duris hammer the winner into the bottom corner.

It was a cruel end to a night that had started poorly for Ian Baraclough's side, with a defensive mix-up gifting Slovakia the opener on 17 minutes.

George Saville misdirected a header back to Jonny Evans, and Kucka was left free to run in behind the defence and slide the ball past Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Northern Ireland then saw several half chances go begging. Josh Magennis glanced a header well wide on 22 minutes, and a Stuart Dallas long-range shot skimmed wide with 40 minutes played.

Just before the break Niall McGinn fired over the bar from 20 yards after some slack Slovak passing to end a frustrating half for the home side.

After the interval, Northern Ireland came out with plenty of energy, pressuring the visitors into defensive errors.

With 53 minutes on the clock, high pressing saw the Slovaks lose possession before McGinn found Washington in open space on the edge of the box, only for the striker to drill his shot straight into the arms of the keeper.

Searching for a spark with 65 minutes gone, Baraclough threw on Gavin Whyte in place of Washington, and Jordan Thompson replaced Saville.

This did little to change Northern Ireland's attacking fortune, so on 77, Kyle Lafferty and Liam Boyce replaced McGinn and Magennis as the home side desperately went in search of an equaliser.

It finally came in the 87th minute when Paddy McNair charged down the right flank and saw his low cross bundled into his own net by Martin Skriniar who was desperately trying to stop Liam Boyce from tapping in from close range.

Northern Ireland almost won it within the 90, but Kyle Lafferty's long range effort cracked the base of the post with the keeper beaten.

Extra time was predictably tense in the early minutes with both sides looking afraid of losing, but Northern Ireland clearly carried some momentum after their dramatic late leveller.

However, they failed to deal with a Slovakian counter attack in the 110th minute, and Michal Duris drove a low shot into the bottom corner from 15 yards to decide the game and send his side to the Euros.