Northern Ireland suffer late defeat in Slovakia but clinch World Cup play-off

Debutant Bobcek had only been on the pitch for three minutes in when he fired in from Laszlo Benes’ corner in the first of eight minutes added on.

Tomas Bobcek (right) netted at the death for Slovakia (Ben Whitley/PA)

Uefa World Cup Qualifiers: Slovakia 1 (Bobcek 90+1) Northern Ireland 0

Tomas Bobcek’s stoppage-time goal ended Northern Ireland’s hopes of making it out of World Cup qualifying Group A but they came away from a 1-0 loss in Slovakia assured of a play-off place regardless.