Northern Ireland made it twelve games without a loss after drawing 0-0 against Slovakia in Trnava in their final friendly before the European Championships

The game saw not many clear cut chances but Northern Ireland suffered two injury scares during the game, with Craig Cathcart and Kyle Lafferty coming off injured to give Michael O'Neill a headache ahead of the game against Poland next Sunday.

Aaron Hughes came on midway through the first half to earn his 100th cap for his country, which is a tremendous achievement for the defender. 

Northern Ireland started the game well and almost scored the opening goal of the game when a well-worked throw-in found Paddy McNair in space down the right wing and the defender crossed the ball into Lafferty. The striker then unleashed a first time effort on goal and the ball was heading into the net before the Slovakian defence got a crucial block to the ball. 

Slovakia though managed to withstand the early pressure and created a decent chance of their own when Vladimir Weiss shot wide of the goal from inside the box when he found space and should have done better. 

McNair was excellent once again for Northern Ireland | Photo: Getty
McNair was excellent once again for Northern Ireland | Photo: Getty

Cathcart injured as Hughes makes 100th appearance 

The game then became a very physical one and, unfortunately for Cathcart he had to go off injured for Northern Ireland after taken a knock to his hip and he will be hoping it's not serious so close to the Euros. Hughes came on to replace him on what was his 100th cap for his country on the half hour mark.

Slovakia created the best chance of the first half in the 40th minute when Robert Mak was played in one on one with Michael McGovern. The striker took a heavy second touch and that allowed McGovern to get down well to make a crucial save. 

The first half almost ended in calamitous fashion for Slovakia 'keeper Matus Kozacik who spilled a long range free kick from Chris Baird but, luckily he got away with it. 

Slovakia came out fast at the start of the second half and Weiss was played in on goal straight away but the winger somehow lifted his shot over McGovern's goal.

Slovakia began second half on the front foot

Weiss came close again a couple of minutes later when he fizzed a shot in on goal, a free-kick which McGovern had to do well to make sure he didn't spill the ball with the oncoming Slovakian attackers ready to pounce.

Lafferty and Skrtel clash during the first half | Photo: Getty
Lafferty and Skrtel clash during the first half | Photo: Getty

Lafferty came off injured to give Northern Ireland a scare before the Euros

Lafferty had to come off with an injury ten minutes into the second half in more bad news for Northern Ireland and was replaced by Connor Washington.

Washington almost made his mark straight away as he forced Kozacik into a good save with his legs after Steven Davis played the striker into space. 

The game became very scrappy for the remainder of the half without many chances being created due to both teams defending really well. Martin Skrtel though was very lucky he didn't score an own goal before the end of the game after a stunning run forward from McNair who fired the ball into the box and Skrtel flicked the ball towards goal but Kozacik saved it. 

The game finished in a goalless draw which meant that Northern Ireland have kept five consecutive clean sheets going into the Euros next week.

Northern Ireland's first game at the Euros is against Poland on the 12th June in Nice