Northern Ireland’s joy at reaching the play-offs was tempered by Chris Brunt’s wild own goal in Norway ensuring the likes of Portugal could stand between them and a place in Russia next summer.

Michael O’Neill’s players knew their place in November’s play-offs was guaranteed less than an hour before kick-off in Oslo as Scotland’s draw with Slovenia guaranteed the Northern Irish one of the play-off berths on offer.

A victory over Norway was still important if they wanted to stand a chance of being seeded for that draw, yet Brunt’s bizarre own goal 19 minutes from time, in which he hacked an attempted left-footed clearance into his net, essentially scuppered those hopes as they lost 1-0.

What they said

Northern Ireland boss O’Neill: “I’m not sure being a seeded team will be a huge advantage, we will have to see the outcome of the games over the next 48 hours. I think we can be a threat. We know what we are, we’re a difficult team to beat, there’s no huge stars, we’ve made up of players who predominantly play their football outside the top divisions – they are well organised, play for each other and the shirt. We will aim to make life extremely difficult for whoever we get in the play-offs and know we are capable of doing that.”

Norway coach Lars Lagerback: “If you play one of the top teams of course it is difficult. But I would never count out Northern Ireland. I think they have a fair and realistic chance to beat anyone.”

Tweet of the match

Star man – Alexander Sorloth

The lively FC Midtjylland forward stretched Northern Ireland’s back-line, saw an effort ruled out for offside and had a hand in the move which led to the only goal of the night.

Moment of the match

Brunt’s bizarre own goal was one of the few moments of note in an uneventful Oslo encounter. After goalkeeper Michael McGovern had flapped at Stefan Johansen’s left-wing centre, West Brom left-back Brunt inexplicably lashed the ball high into the net from a couple of yards out under very little pressure.

View from the bench

O’Neill’s men knew they could relax slightly going into this final qualifier after Scotland’s earlier draw ensured Northern Ireland a place in the play-offs. The biggest concern for the manager was perhaps the prospect of one of his players picking up a suspension, but all six men who were one booking away from a ban – captain Steven Davis, defender Jonny Evans, midfielders Corry Evans and Oliver Norwood, forward Josh Magennis and winger Stuart Dallas – came through unscathed.

Ratings

Northern Ireland: Michael McGovern: 6, Conor McLaughlin: 6, Gareth McAuley: 5, Jonny Evans: 7, Chris Brunt: 4, Steven Davis: 6, Corry Evans: 7, Oliver Norwood: 7, Josh Magennis: 5, Conor Washington: 6, Stuart Dallas: 6. Substitutes: George Saville (on for Norwood, 46): 7, Kyle Lafferty (on for Washington, 69): 6, Shane Ferguson (on for Corry Evans, 79): 6.