McGinn & Davis score as Northern Ireland ease past Estonia

Northern Ireland made a winning start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Estonia at Windsor Park.

Niall McGinn hammered home at the near post to open the scoring in the second half, with captain Steven Davis converting from the penalty spot to round off the win.

Goalscorer McGinn set the tone for a dominant night for Northern Ireland, as he lashed an early volley wide from inside the box with less than 2 minutes on the clock.

By the 19th minute it should have been 1-0 to Northern Ireland. The lively Jordan Jones did well to cross for Paddy McNair, but the midfielder headed into the ground from less than 6 yards, and the ball bounced over the bar.

The home side kept up the pressure, and just after the half-hour mark, Craig Cathcart flicked a header from McGinn's set-piece delivery, but his effort flew right into the arms of the keeper.

10 minutes before the break, Estonian centre-back Joonas Tamm finally booked for persistent fouling, this time after another clumsy lunge on McNair, who was enjoying a more advanced midfield role.

With the first half drawing to a close, Northern Ireland continued to create, with a long throw from Stuart Dallas flicked on to Jones, who shot just wide of the bottom corner from 20 yards. `

It was 10 minutes after the break that the Estonian defence finally buckled.

Jones swung in a cross from the left, and Kyle Lafferty teed up McGinn to smash an effort beyond the keeper at the near post.

Northern Ireland settled after the goal they had thoroughly deserved, and McNair soon headed over in the 64th as they continued to attack a rather flat-looking Estonian defence.

There was a bit of a scare for the home side in the 71st minute when striker Henri Anier was suddenly played in behind the defence. However, Bailey Peacock-Farrell closed the gap well, and smothered the shot.

Less than 2 minutes later, Northern Ireland went 2-0 up when George Saville was felled in the box, allowing captain Steven Davis to casually put away the penalty that made sure of the points.