N. Ireland reach top 10 after Nations League win

Sky Blues climb above Greece and Turkey after 2-1 victory in Luxembourg

Thrilling match puts Northern Ireland one point behind third-placed Norway

Northern Ireland are now ninth in UEFA's rankings after coming from behind to beat Luxembourg 2-1 in the Nations League on Saturday, moving above Greece and Turkey in the process.

The Sky Blues fell behind to a 33rd-minute opener from Gerson Rodrigues but goals from Paddy McNair and Conor Washington secured a third win in five Nations League matches.

Ian Baraclough's men, who had won 3-2 in Kosovo last month, are now just one point behind third-placed Norway in Group C1 and have moved up four places in the UEFA rankings to ninth, above Greece and Turkey.

Analysis:

Northern Ireland had to show character to come from behind against a Luxembourg side who had lost their previous four matches in the Nations League.

The Sky Blues were second best for much of the first half but McNair's equaliser on the stroke of half-time gave them a boost.

And they completed the comeback 20 minutes from time when Washington headed in McNair's cross.

Conclusion:

The win is a major boost for Northern Ireland's hopes of winning promotion to League B of the Nations League.

They are now level on points with Greece and two points ahead of Cyprus, who they face in Belfast on Tuesday.

A win against Cyprus would put Northern Ireland in a strong position to finish in the top two in Group C1.