Match ends, San Marino 0, Northern Ireland 3.
Josh Magennis was on target twice as Northern Ireland scored three goals in eight second-half minutes to see off a stubborn San Marino 3-0 in Serravalle.
Steven Davis netted a penalty as his side moved within a point of securing second place in Group C, which could clinch a play-off for a World Cup spot.
After a nervous first 70 minutes, Magennis side-footed in the opener and then headed home from close range.
Davis's goal ensured NI have won four games in a row for the first time ever.
Northern Ireland now need just a draw from their next match against the Czech Republic in Belfast on Monday to seal the group runners-up spot after the Czechs lost 2-1 at home to Germany.
The Germans head the table on 21 points, with Northern Ireland second on 16 and the Czech Republic on nine.
Norway beat Azerbaijan in Friday's other game in the group but neither side are in contention for qualification as they both lie on seven points from seven fixtures.
Michael O'Neill's side have now won their last four qualifiers and have kept clean sheets in four successive games for the first time in 31 years as they bid to make the World Cup finals for the first time since Mexico 1986.
First-half frustration
The visitors set out with an attacking formation, in contrast to their opponents, who fielded five defenders and four midfielders in a bid to avoid a repeat of the 4-0 reverse they suffered when the sides met at Windsor Park last October.
Northern Ireland had scored 11 in their previous three clashes with San Marino but passed up a series of chances in the first half as they struggled to control the ball on a difficult, uneven playing surface.
Ranked 181 places above their hosts in the Fifa world rankings, Northern Ireland predictably dominated possession and territory in the opening period but were unable to break down San Marino's defences.
Skipper Davis was off target with a shot and a header and saw another effort blocked by defender Davide Simoncini.
Oliver Norwood glanced a header wide, while Magennis twice went close before seeing his glancing header from a corner cannon off the inside of the post and run to safety a minute before the break.
Conor Washington, paired with Kyle Lafferty up front, had a drive palmed away by Aldo Simoncini and then dragged a left-foot shot wide of the post with the goal gaping.
Magennis' goals ease NI nerves
With Northern Ireland struggling after the interval, O'Neill's introduction of Shane Ferguson at the expense of the ineffective Lafferty saw Magennis switched from the right flank into a central striking role, a move which proved the catalyst for the long-awaited breakthrough.
Magennis, who has scored goals for Charlton Athletic in consecutive league games against Northampton and Rotherham, notched his second international goal to deliver relief among the 2,500 travelling supporters.
The forward saw his initial header from Chris Brunt's left-wing cross denied by Simoncini but was on hand to fire home after Davis squared the ball back to him inside the area.
Washington provided the delivery for the former Kilmarnock forward to nod in his second of the night on his 30th appearance five minutes later.
Davis's spot-kick, after a handball by Giovanni Bonini, extended the margin of victory and ensures that Northern Ireland head into their next game with confidence.
For the Southampton midfielder it was his 10th international goal and his third against San Marino, the captain having also found the net in the 4-0 victories in World Cup qualifiers in October 2008 and October 2016.
Man of the match
Line-ups
San Marino
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Simoncini
- 4BiordiBooked at 66minsSubstituted forVitaioliat 67'minutes
- 6SimonciniBooked at 63minsSubstituted forGasperoniat 76'minutes
- 21Palazzi
- 8BoniniBooked at 77mins
- 14Cervellini
- 13Battistini
- 10Grandoni
- 17BerardiSubstituted forGolinucciat 81'minutes
- 16Rinaldi
- 18BernardiBooked at 53mins
Substitutes
- 2Cesarini
- 3D'Addario
- 5Vitaioli
- 7Gasperoni
- 9Stefanelli
- 11Berretti
- 12Muraccini
- 15Cevoli
- 19Tosi
- 20Golinucci
- 22Tomassini
- 23Manzaroli
Northern Ireland
Formation 4-4-2
- 1McGovern
- 2McLaughlin
- 18Hughes
- 5Evans
- 11Brunt
- 21Magennis
- 16Norwood
- 8Davis
- 14DallasSubstituted forMcGinnat 78'minutes
- 9WashingtonSubstituted forEvansat 78'minutes
- 10LaffertySubstituted forFergusonat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Ferguson
- 4Flanagan
- 6Hodson
- 7McGinn
- 12Mannus
- 13Evans
- 15Paton
- 17McLaughlin
- 19McCartan
- 20Lafferty
- 22Thompson
- 23Carroll
- Referee:
- Enea Jorgji
- Attendance:
- 2,544
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home22%
- Away78%
- Shots
- Home1
- Away31
- Shots on Target
- Home0
- Away9
- Corners
- Home0
- Away11
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, San Marino 0, Northern Ireland 3.
Post update
Attempt missed. Chris Brunt (Northern Ireland) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Steven Davis.
Post update
Oliver Norwood (Northern Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Michael Battistini (San Marino).
Post update
Foul by Shane Ferguson (Northern Ireland).
Post update
Alessandro Golinucci (San Marino) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Offside, Northern Ireland. Chris Brunt tries a through ball, but Shane Ferguson is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Oliver Norwood (Northern Ireland) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Chris Brunt with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Northern Ireland. Conceded by Fabio Vitaioli.
Post update
Foul by Josh Magennis (Northern Ireland).
Post update
Fabio Vitaioli (San Marino) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Conor McLaughlin (Northern Ireland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Marco Bernardi (San Marino).
Post update
Attempt saved. Corry Evans (Northern Ireland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Steven Davis.
Post update
Foul by Conor McLaughlin (Northern Ireland).
Post update
Danilo Rinaldi (San Marino) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, San Marino. Alessandro Golinucci replaces Filippo Berardi.
Goal!
Goal! San Marino 0, Northern Ireland 3. Steven Davis (Northern Ireland) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Northern Ireland. Corry Evans replaces Conor Washington.
Comments
Join the conversation
"Davis's goal ensured NI have won four games in a row for the first time ever."
That's the history being made.
I wish the England team showed 10÷ of the heart and passion these lads show and I for one wish them all the best and hope they get there, I'm certain if they did they'd not embarrass themselves at all, unlike the overpaid numpties I'll be cheering on, knowing they'll fail. Again!!
Your syntax you need to work on err...
All the criticism would come from the same people if NI had won by 15 or 1.
And the comment "going nowhere" what a loser statement. Every win makes us a better side.