Match Report
The points column showed no gap: 5 apiece, Northern Ireland 3rd and Cyprus 4th. Northern Ireland had been under-performing their position — 36th on five-round form against 3rd in the table. Against a league average of 1.31 goals per team per game, Northern Ireland ran at 1.17 scored and 1.67 conceded, Cyprus at 0.67 and 2.
Northern Ireland entered with three losses in a row.
Windsor Park in Belfast, capacity 24,734, hosted the game. On the scoreboard, Cyprus led 1-0 at the break; 3 second-half goals set the final 2-2.