International friendly: Northern Ireland hit late double to grab away win over Luxembourg

Captain Steven Davis and striker Gavin Whyte came off the bench to score two late quickfire goals that gave Northern Ireland a satisfying 3-1 friendly win away to Luxembourg.

The pair found the target in the final seven minutes as manager Ian Baraclough's experienced side made it three games unbeaten.

Josh Magennis had given NI an early lead with an excellent finish that was equalised after the break by Marvin Martins' header from a corner.

Northern Ireland are back in action in Belfast on Tuesday night when they continue their Nations League preparations by hosting Hungary in a friendly.

Friday night's friendly was a first outing for Northern Ireland since they ended their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign with an impressive 0-0 draw with Italy at Windsor Park in November — a result that sent the European champions into the play-off that they lost against North Macedonia on Thursday.

It was a satisfying victory in the end for Baraclough's men, who started the match strongly with Magennis and Shayne Lavery very lively up front.

The hosts came back into the game well, however, and the match had become scrappy by the time Martins levelled on 58 minutes with a backpost header from a corner that Craig Cathcart failed to head clear.

Whyte and Davis were two of four subs made on the hour-mark by Baraclough and both were involved in the 83rd-minute goal that restored the visitors' lead.

In-form Oxford United forward Whyte showed invention in the box to turn and lay the ball off to fellow sub Niall McGinn, whose low cross broke to Davis and he prodded home from close range with the sole of his foot.

Whyte, traditionally a wide man who has played through the middle more and more for NI, found himself through on goal two minutes later