When Switzerland equalised within the eleventh minute of their eventual 2-1 win over Slovakia on Saturday, there was only one staff left within the 2026-27 Uefa Nations League but to concede a objective – Northern Eire.
Michael O’Neill’s aspect have saved three consecutive clear sheets upon their return to the second tier of the competitors, beating Georgia and Ukraine to nil with a scoreless stalemate towards Hungary in between throughout this window.
Certainly, throughout this marketing campaign and the 2024-25 version when Northern Eire performed in League C, they’ve saved seven clear sheets of their previous 9 Nations League video games, conceding simply three targets within the course of.
Ought to they handle to maintain Georgia out once more in Belfast on Monday night time, it will likely be the aspect’s longest run of fresh sheets in 9 years.
They did stay considerably dangerously within the reverse fixture in Tbilisi, with goalkeeper Pierce Charles saving a penalty from Paris St-Germain ahead Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in a participant of the match efficiency.
Regardless of the absence of Daniel Ballard and Conor Bradley by way of damage, the Queens Park Rangers loanee has had treasured little to do within the two video games since, nonetheless.
Hungary had their solely shot on course in damage time at Windsor Park final week, whereas the aspect’s document goalscorer David Healy described the stopper’s two saves within the 3-0 victory towards Ukraine as “ones for the digicam”.
“I believe the clear sheets are an actual plus for us and we wish to preserve that as a result of historical past tells us that Northern Eire are by no means the very best scoring staff,” mentioned O’Neill.
“If you happen to take a look at the xG [Expected Goals] within the video games, folks have completely different opinions on that, however the xG for the opposition has been low and which means we have got defensive construction.
“It means our younger defenders are dealing with the sport at this stage, but it surely additionally signifies that we defend properly as a staff and the most effective groups do this.”
