Captain Steven Davis set the scene for a straightforward home clash against San Marino as Northern Ireland saw a 4-0 win in Belfast.
Anything other than a victory over a nation yet to win a competitive international would be viewed as a disaster for Northern Ireland, but Davis’s goal set the benchmark in the opening 45 minutes of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match.
That being said, fans weren’t on the edge of their seats wondering about the outcome of the game. Instead, they were busy trying to spot celebrities among the crowd:
Here's Mr @garysnowpatrol pic.twitter.com/HeSLKsW8cP
— RuthyMC163 (@RuthyMC163) October 8, 2016
IN PICTURES: Carl Frampton among stars in Lap of Legends at Windsor Park
— Belfast News Letter (@News_Letter) October 8, 2016
Read more at: https://t.co/KiybrOjWDG pic.twitter.com/aTxROtFAcA
Golfer Rory McIlroy and FIFA President Gianni Infantino looking worried as Northern Ireland struggle to get past San Marino. #GAWA #NIRSMR pic.twitter.com/oWQHfil2f4
— Sportdec (@SportdecApp) October 8, 2016
Frampton, Nesbitt, McIlroy, Lightbody, Taylor, Holmes, Murray and Lawson are some of Northern Ireland's famous fans at Windsor Park tonight. pic.twitter.com/b78veDMmuU
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) October 8, 2016
Two of our sporting legends of different generations watching @NorthernIreland tonight pic.twitter.com/5sltFx5TmV
— Stephen Watson (@winkerwatson1) October 8, 2016
Northern Ireland’s victory came with strikes from Steven Davis, Jamie Ward and substitute Kyle Lafferty who scored twice in front of a crowd of 18,234.
Kyle Lafferty... Kyle Lafferty... just on, scores two goals, what can you say-tremendous! #GAWA pic.twitter.com/0QZj98OeIj
— John Moore (@johnmooreni) October 8, 2016
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Sub Kyle Lafferty with a lovely finish...2-0... thank goodness for that.. #GAWA
— Steven Beacom (@StevenBeacom5) October 8, 2016
They also had some impressive stats to show with their victory, with Lafferty scoring nine times in his last 11 qualifiers for Northern Ireland and Davis adding three goals in his last four qualifiers.
8 - Kyle Lafferty has scored eight times in his last 11 qualifiers for Northern Ireland. Talisman.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 8, 2016
3 - Steven Davis has scored three goals in his last four qualifiers for Northern Ireland. Leader.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 8, 2016
6 - Northern Ireland have won six of their last eight home matches (D2). Comfort.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 8, 2016
Now fans are hoping Northern Ireland will be able to bring their A-game to their next match … away to world champions Germany:
Great win for the #GAWA first 3 PST on the board. Next up #Germany.
— Jamie Lavery (@JamieLavery_) October 8, 2016
Good win tonight, bring on Germany on Tuesday💚⚽️ #GAWA
— Emma (@emmajgawley) October 8, 2016
Needed that ahead of the big match v Germany on Tuesday! #DareToDream #GAWA
— Gayle Hope (@bmb_afcb) October 8, 2016
4-0 home win, could have been a lot more only 4 their keeper but we'll take that. Onwards now 2 Germany #DareToDream #GAWA
— Johnny Adams (@BelfastBlue1980) October 8, 2016
