Bradford City youngster George Goodman was an unused substitute yesterday evening, as he and his Northern Ireland team-mates bowed out of the Under-19 Euros at the group stage with a 2-0 defeat to Norway.

As hosts, they were in with a chance of reaching the semi-finals, but knew only a win in Belfast against their Nordic rivals would suffice.

There was also the carrot of finishing third in the group, which would have at least seen them qualify for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup play-offs.

But Norway proved too strong, Daniel Braut making the difference as he scored a brace at Seaview.

But his side had to settle for third, as Ukraine’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over group winners Italy at Inver Park in Larne sent both sides through to the semis.

That means the pair have also guaranteed their spots in the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals.

It was a disappointing end to the tournament for young Bantam Goodman, the centre-half playing 45 minutes of Northern Ireland’s 0-0 draw with Ukraine in the tournament opener, then over an hour in the subsequent 3-0 defeat to Italy.

Goodman came agonisingly close to levelling the scores in the first half of that game against reigning champions Italy, only to see his prodded effort at goal superbly saved.