Northern Ireland edges 1-0 past Guinea with young squad in friendly

2 sources1 min read • Latest: Jun 4, 2026, 9:18 PM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

Northern Ireland edges 1-0 past Guinea with young squad in friendly
Summary

Northern Ireland secured a 1-0 victory over Guinea in a friendly match held in La Linea, Spain, fielding a youthful starting team with an average age of 22.1. Tom Atcheson scored the lone goal but received a red card in the second half, leaving his team with 10 players for the final 25 minutes. Despite the dismissal, Northern Ireland's squad demonstrated resilience and benefited from the experience of its younger players, including Kieran Morrison and Ceadach O'Neill, both making their debuts. The match highlighted the development of the national team under manager Michael O'Neill, whose contract was recently extended to 2032. Northern Ireland's next challenge will be against France this summer.

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By the Numbers
  • Northern Ireland's average starting age was 22.1 against Guinea.
  • Tom Atcheson scored before being sent off for a last-man tackle.
  • Kieran Morrison and Ceadach O'Neill made their senior debuts.
  • Manager Michael O'Neill signed a new deal until 2032.
  • Northern Ireland will face France in their next match this summer.
Latest Updates
  • 9:18 PMBBC SportNI's record side show grit beyond their years
What they're saying
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Northern Ireland, fielding a record youthful side, showed resilience beyond their years in a 1-0 friendly win over Guinea in Spain.

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