Andraz Sporar scores twice, with a Jonny Evans own goal and Benjamin Sesko strike sealing Northern Ireland’s fate.

Northern Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 were dealt a devastating blow following a heavy defeat to Slovenia in their latest qualifier. The match, played at a tense atmosphere, ended 4-0 in favour of Slovenia, significantly diminishing Northern Ireland’s chances of securing a place in the tournament next year.

Slovenia’s Andraz Sporar was the standout player of the match, scoring a brace that put Northern Ireland on the back foot early in the game. His first goal came in the 24th minute, and he added a second in the second half to make it 2-0. Northern Ireland struggled to contain the Slovenian attack throughout the match, with their defensive issues becoming glaringly apparent.

Things went from bad to worse for Northern Ireland when veteran defender Jonny Evans accidentally diverted the ball into his own net, handing Slovenia a third goal in the 68th minute. The final blow came just minutes later when Slovenia’s Benjamin Sesko found the back of the net, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory for the visitors.

The defeat leaves Northern Ireland with little room for error in their remaining qualifiers, and their hopes of qualifying for next summer’s tournament now hang by a thread. The loss adds to a series of disappointing results for the team, and manager Ian Baraclough faces mounting pressure as the qualification campaign continues.

Fans and pundits alike have voiced concerns over the team’s recent performances, particularly the defensive lapses that led to such a heavy defeat. While Northern Ireland still have a few more games to play, their chances of securing automatic qualification or even making it through the play-offs appear increasingly slim.

As Slovenia celebrates their dominant performance, Northern Ireland must regroup quickly if they are to salvage their Euro 2024 hopes in the coming months.