Just days after scoring his first Bundesliga brace, Benjamin Sesko also put in an impressive performance to lead his homeland Slovenia to an important European Championship qualifying victory over Northern Ireland.
Slovenia can continue to dream of participating in the 2024 European Championship in Germany. Leipzig striker Sesko, who recently scored his first Bundesliga brace in a 3-0 win over Union Berlin, played a huge part in the 4-2 home win over Northern Ireland.
Sesko confirmed his form on Thursday evening with an impressive performance in Ljubljana. The lanky attacker set up his congenial partner Sporar after just three minutes. Alone in front of keeper Peacock-Farrell, the Panathinaikos Athens striker only had to slot home in his native city – 1-0.
Northern Ireland, however, were eager to respond and equalised just four minutes later. Oblak made a sensational save from Kennedy’s close-range effort, but the Atletico keeper was powerless against Price’s follow-up shot (7th minute).
Slovenia did not want to let the result stand and were lucky in the 17th minute. Stojanovic took a long ball from central defender Bijol well and Northern Ireland captain Evans deflected his shot from an acute angle into the bottom corner to make it 2-1. Before the break, Sesko made it 3-1 when he took a pass from former Nuremberg player Gnezda Cerin and shot into the bottom left corner from a left-footed turn past three Northern Ireland defenders.
Sesko-Sporar combination ignites again
The huge chance for the fourth Slovenian goal was initiated by Sesko with a heel, but Sporar only hit the crossbar from close range (51st). And so it was that Northern Ireland got back into the game with a bit of luck: Evans had the ball put in front of his feet in the opposing penalty area, his deflected shot fell unstoppable for Oblak into the upper left corner – only 2:3 (53.).
But the Slovenians answered back. And the Sesko-Sporar combination proved itself once again: The Leipzig player played a great interface pass against Northern Ireland, who were far too far advanced, and Sporar took it to round Peacock-Farrell and shoot in with his left foot (56th).
The 4:2 was also the final score. With ten points, Slovenia are now level with Denmark, who dispatched San Marino 4-0 at the same time. On Sunday, Sesko & Co. want to go one better when they travel to San Marino. They could benefit from the fact that leaders Finland (1-0 against Kazakhstan) and Denmark take the points away from each other in a direct duel starting at 6 pm.
