World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Sep 6, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

N. Ireland Northern Ireland
2-4
Portugal

McAuley (36'), Ward (52')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Alves (20'), Ronaldo (68', 77', 83')

Half-Time Report: Northern Ireland rattle 10-man Portugal

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 06 September 2013

A Gareth McAuley equaliser and a Helder Postiga red card send Northern Ireland into half time in good spirits against Portugal at Windsor Park.

A Gareth McAuley equaliser and a Helder Postiga red card have sent Northern Ireland into half time in good spirits against Portugal at Windsor Park.

The West Brom centre-half headed home from Shane Ferguson's corner on 36 minutes to restore the hosts' parity, after Bruno Alves had opened the scoring.

Postiga, who is Portugal's leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying, was then sent off for a tame headbutt on McAuley.

Alves's opener arrived on 20 minutes and it was a fine guided volley from the edge of the area, which came after Oliver Norwood's header had failed to properly clear Joao Moutinho's outswinging set piece.

The Fenerbahce full-back has now scored four times during the current qualifying campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who was shown a yellow card for his protestations at Postiga's dismissal has been kept fairly quiet so far.

The Real Madrid star has registered just one shot at goal.