Well, at full-time at Windsor Park, it’s half-time in Northern Ireland’s World Cup 2018 play-off against Switzerland.
Michael O’Neill and his men will deservedly feel hard done by to be heading into next week’s second leg a goal down, having lost 1-0 to Switzerland by virtue of a ridiculous penalty that should never have been given.
Corey Evans was adjudged to have stopped Xherdan Shaqiri’s volley with his hand — although the midfielder was jumping, turning away from the shot and it hit him on the back from just a yard away, at speed. There is simply no explanation as to why the referee gave the decision.
There is no time for the Northern Irish to lament what happened at Windsor Park though — they must stay focused and prepare for next week’s all-or-nothing tie in Switzerland.
Here’s how we rated Michael O’Neill’s side in their valiant efforts at Windsor Park…
Michael McGovern: 7
Made some great saves to keep the score line down to a manageable amount — and was unlucky to be sent the wrong way from the spot.
Conor McLaughlin: 7
Played well up against a somewhat interchangeable Swiss attack.
Gareth McAuley: 7
The West Bromwich Albion man was up against it with Haris Seferovic but kept the striker quiet
Jonny Evans: 7
McAuley’s club team-mate was equally vital at the heart of defence.
Chris Brunt: 7
The full-back was one of his side’s best attacking threats, delivering some good balls from set pieces.
Corey Evans: 7
Absolutely unfairly penalised for handball to give away, if we can say that, the penalty but played well in the middle of the park.
Oliver Norwood: 6
Had a lot of defending to do and helped out his team-mates well at the back.
Steven Davis: 6
The captain endured a tricky night against a stubborn Swiss midfield but played well in the circumstances.
Josh Magennis: 5
Hold-up play wasn’t as good as it needed to be and it could be said that he should have scored a header late on.
Kyle Lafferty: 5
Somewhat isolated for long spells, Lafferty didn’t have all that much of an impact on the game.
Stuart Dallas: 7
Put in an excellent shift on the left wing despite being crunched by Fabian Schar early on.