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San Marino 0 Northern Ireland 3: Magennis double sees off determined minnows

Related Topics: Josh Magennis, Northern Ireland

Josh Magennis' brace belatedly ended a resolute San Marino stand as Northern Ireland ultimately ran out 3-0 winners in World Cup qualifying.

Northern Ireland are closing in on a World Cup qualifying play-off place despite making hard work of a 3-0 victory in San Marino on Friday.

All three goals arrived in the final 20 minutes – through Josh Magennis twice and Steven Davis' penalty – as the second-placed side in Group C won a fourth consecutive international for the first time in their history.

It had started to look as though San Marino might improbably end a 17-game losing streak, with Michael O'Neill's men passing up chance after chance, before Magennis prodded in the opener in the 70th minute.