UEFA Nations League: boos as Northern Ireland's campaign ends in defeat

Northern Ireland's disastrous Nations League campaign ended in defeat in Athens last night (Tuesday).

Ian Baraclough's side were beaten 3-1 by Greece - but managed to avoid relegation after Cyprus lost

At the end of the game there were boos from some sections of the near 1,000-strong travelling Northern Ireland support.

Afterwards Baraclough said he understood the fans' reaction.

While Northern Ireland have avoided relegation, finishing third n League C Group 2 means they face the prospect of a tough Euro 2024 qualifying draw for the campaign that starts in March.

It was the home side who got off to a flying start on a night when Jonny Evans (main pic) skippered the side on the occasion of his 100th cap.

Northern Ireland keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell came for a deep cross but collided with Paddy McNair as he battled Fotis Ioannidis, spilling the ball into the path of Pelkas who stooped to head home.

Northern Ireland needed only four minutes to draw level. Steven Davis picked up the pieces of a half-cleared free-kick and sent in a fine cross from the left, with Shayne Lavery (below) on hand to volley the ball home from close range.

In the second half Baraclough sent on Dion Charles and Gavin Whyte for Lavery and Conor Bradley, then Shane Ferguson and Conor McMenamin - the Glentoran winger cleared to play on Monday after an historic video shared on social media saw him kept out of the Kosovo game.

However, two further goals from Greece sealed the win.