Report: Northern Ireland 0-0 England MU21s

England shared the points with Northern Ireland in an entertaining 0-0 draw in their 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Both teams had chances but the defences came out on top, leaving England two points behind Ukraine at the top of Group F with two games remaining after England were unable to convert a number of early chances in Ballymena.

From kick-off, James Trafford’s long pass caused Northern Ireland issues and Jonathan Rowe’s shot found the side-netting.

Soon after, Jamie Gittens hoped to make an impression with his physicality but saw his progress stopped in its tracks by Thomas Fogarty.

Looking comfortable with possession, England continued to press their opponents in the hunt for a goal.

A James McAtee shot was saved by Pierce Charles and the Manchester City midfielder was unfortunate again when his effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

Trafford received treatment after a collision with Northern Ireland’s Terry Devlin and offered the Young Lions a chance to recompose themselves.

That collective breath helped Ben Futcher’s side weave together an opportunity for Morgan Rogers, who headed over the bar.

Just before the break, another set-piece attempt came to nothing when McAtee’s free-kick made its way to Charles’ arms between the Northern Ireland goalposts.

In the second half, England continued to be frustrated by an increasingly confident Northern Ireland team.

Elliot Anderson’s influence on the match continued to grow after the break, as the Nottingham Forest livewire fired several shots at the Northern Ireland goal and saw opportunities to provide his teammates with chances thwarted by green jerseys.

Gittens had another shot saved by Charles as the Borussia Dortmund frontman looked to continue the recent good form he's shown with his club side.

After being unfazed by further efforts from McAtee and Liam Delap on goal, Northern Ireland launched their own attacks on the England penalty box as the game went on.

Justin Devenny rifled the ball past Trafford’s goal and Mackenzie Kirk also misfired after his introduction.

But England were finally left wondering ‘what if’ after Anderson was unable to capitalise on a magnificent pass from Samuel Iling-Junior.

With the ball defeating the Northern Ireland defence, Anderson couldn't beat Charles in goal with what was England’s most clear-cut opportunity of the fixture.

The hosts still could have taken the three points too, if Devenny’s long-range shot had been on target, but instead both teams shared the spoils.

England: 1 James Trafford (Burnley), 3 Callum Doyle (Norwich City, loan from Manchester City), 4 Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), 5 Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), 7 Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), 10 James McAtee (Manchester City), 16 Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), 17 Jonathan Rowe (Olympique de Marseille), 18 Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), 20 Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), 21 Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund)

Substitutes: 9 Liam Delap (Ipswich Town) for Rowe 60’, 12 Lewis Hall (Newcastle United) for Doyle 69’, 14 Sam Iling-Junior (Bologna FC, loan from Aston Villa) for Gittens 69’, 19 Tom Fellows (West Bromwich Albion) for Anderson 88’

Subs not used: 13 James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday, loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), 2 Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion), 6 Tyler Morton (Liverpool), 8 Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth), 15 Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse)

Cautions: Trafford 74’, Delap 90’

Interim head coach: Ben Futcher

Northern Ireland: 1 Pierce Charles, 5 Michael Forbes, 4 Aaron Donnelly, 14 Thomas Fogarty, 3 Sean Stewart, 6 Justin Devenny, 18 Darren Robinson, 8 Patrick Kelly, 11 Terry Devlin, 9 Dale Taylor, 10 JJ McKiernan

Substitutes: 12 Stephan McMullan, 7 Charlie Allen for Taylor 79’, 22 Tom Atcheson, 15 Barry Baggley, 20 Shea Kearney for Kelly 84’, 17 Mackenzie Kirk for McKieranan 64’, 19 Matthew Lusty, 13 Johnny Russell for Stewart 84’, 16 Euan Williams

Cautions: Forbes 42’, Devlin 82’

Coach: Tommy Wright