the hosts 4-0 the visitors. the hosts claimed a comprehensive victory in World Cup.
What happened
In one of the most significant international football stories of the week, Northern Ireland boss Michael McArdle praises the "intent" his side showed in his first game in charge as they eased to a 4-0 win over Malta in World Cup qualifying. This deserves the comprehensive treatment we provide below.
Match statistics
- 0 win
Impact on the World Cup
Current standings and statistics for World Cup are available in the live data section of this site.
Original source: Full reporting on this story is available at BBC Sport. This article summarises key facts from that report and adds context about international football.
