Mamardashvili saves penalty as Georgia hold Northern Ireland in Nations League

It is a sign of Northern Ireland’s progress that irritation was writ large across the faces of players, supporters and the manager, Michael O’Neill, as scoreless parity was confirmed.

This youthful team had already emerged as one of the fascinating tales of the Nations League. That they were unable to breach Georgia, even with a late penalty, understandably stung, yet this has been a hugely positive window. They emerge unbeaten and atop their…