By Daily Sports on November 13, 2017

Northern Ireland's hopes of making the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986 ended as Switzerland won their play-off 1-0 on aggregate after Sunday's stalemate in Basel.

The tie was decided by Ricardo Rodriguez's controversial penalty in Belfast as Michael O'Neill's team failed in their bid to reach back-to-back major tournaments for the first time.

Northern Ireland came within inches of forcing extra time in injury time at the end of the tie, only for West Brom defender Jonny Evans to see his header hacked off the line by Rodriguez.

Both sides wasted chances to score in a nervy contest at a rain-soaked St Jakob-Park, with Switzerland striker Haris Seferovic particularly guilty following a string of missed attempts.

O'Neill's team failed to register a shot on target at Windsor Park in the first leg, but this was a far more adventurous display and, after several near misses from Chris Brunt in the first half, they were almost rewarded late on - only for Evans to be denied.

The result secures Switzerland a place in Russia - their fourth consecutive World Cup - and means Northern Ireland's hopes of a fourth finals appearance are over.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill said he has never seen a worse decision in a game he has been involved in

"We've gone out to a really poor decision in the first leg," said O'Neill. "We tried to keep the dream alive and we were pushing for it.

"The referee was very poor in the first leg - got the red card [decision not to send off Fabian Schar for a late tackle on Stuart Dallas] wrong and the penalty wrong. It's a very sore way to lose. We deserved extra time.

"There's a devastated group of players in there but I couldn't be more proud of them."

•Photo shows Michael O'Neill.

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 13, 2017

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