Northern Ireland prepared for their Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany with a fifth straight win as Kevin Malget s own goal gifted them a 1-0 friendly victory over Luxembourg.
Ahead of Monday s meeting with the 2014 World Cup winners, Michael O Neill made eight changes for Thursday s friendly in Belfast.
A lack of cohesion in Northern Ireland s play was evident in a first half that Luxembourg dominated, though Bailey Peacock-Farrell was not tested before Malget s calamitous mistake put the hosts ahead.
O Neill took the chance to blood more of Northern Ireland s youngsters in the second half, as his side comfortably maintained their winning run.
Maurice Deville should have capped a well-crafted Luxembourg attack off in the 20th minute, but failed to keep his close-range header down.
Unfortunately for Luxembourg, Malget had no such issues at the other end eight minutes before half-time, when the defender headed George Saville s wayward effort into his own net.
GOAL!!!!!! We have no own goal GIF sadly! But it s an unfortunate mistake by the Luxembourg defender who heads into his own net 1-0!
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland)
Jordan Thompson and Gavin Whyte both wanted penalties in quick succession shortly after the hour, but their appeals fell on deaf ears.
Thompson squandered a fine chance to put the game to bed with 16 minutes remaining, though his failure to drill home Shayne Lavery s cut-back ultimately mattered little.
What does it mean? O Neill learns little ahead of Germany clash
Northern Ireland lead the way in qualifying Group C, with four wins from four, though Germany also have a perfect record from their three outings.
However, O Neill will hardly have learned much from Thursday s victory, with his focus seemingly on utilising Northern Ireland s back-up players, though they will need to be much more potent going forward if they are to trouble Germany s defence.
Saville gets his reward
Middlesbrough s Saville is yet to score his first international goal, but his effort in keeping the home side s attack alive led to Malget s error, and the midfielder s work rate and industry in the centre of the park will be key to Northern Ireland s chances against Germany.
A miserable night for Malget
There should have been little danger from Saville s cross, but Malget got his attempted clearance all wrong. It was a dreadful, bizarre error, and one the defender did not get chance to atone for as he was taken off at half-time.
What s next?
Heavyweights Germany visit Windsor Park on Monday, while Luxembourg continue their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Serbia the following day.
