Luxembourg began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3–1 home defeat to Northern Ireland, who proved sharper and more composed throughout in a deserved victory.
New coach Jeff Strasser's first game in charge showed early signs of promise after a difficult start.
Isaac Price saw an early penalty saved, only for striker James Reid to pounce on the rebound and put the visitors ahead inside seven minutes. After a nervy opening, Aiman Dardari dragged Luxembourg back into the contest with a brilliant solo run and finish on the half-hour.
Parity lasted only until the restart, when Shea Charles’s deflected strike restored Northern Ireland’s lead. With Luxembourg struggling to impose themselves, Dardari offered the only threat before Seid Korac was controversially dismissed for a second yellow card. Within minutes Justin Devenny struck the decisive third.
The Red Lions, reduced to ten men, could not recover as Northern Ireland managed to control the closing stages with the numerical advantage.
Elsewhere in Group A there was a shock as favourites Germany lost 2–0 in Slovakia through goals from David Hancko and David Štrelec. Luxembourg therefore sit third in the table, above bottom-placed Germany on equal points, but face an uphill task after a chastening opening night.
