The only side in Nations League yet to concede? Northern Ireland

What the report says

Northern Ireland are the only team left in the current Uefa Nations League without a goal against them, after three straight clean sheets in Group B2. BBC Sport reports that Michael O’Neill’s side have beaten Georgia and Ukraine to nil and drawn 0-0 with Hungary during the latest international window, putting them top of the group with seven points from three matches.

The article says the run has been built on a compact defensive structure and hard work without the ball, with goalkeeper Pierce Charles prominent in earlier matches. Northern Ireland needed a penalty save from Charles in the reverse fixture against Georgia, while Hungary and Ukraine created limited chances in Belfast. O’Neill also pointed to the team’s ability to defend as a unit and to use possession efficiently rather than dominate the ball.

The BBC notes that Northern Ireland have now kept seven clean sheets in their past nine Nations League matches across the current and previous editions, and eight clean sheets in their last 10 home games in all competitions. A clean sheet against Georgia in Belfast would give the team their longest such run in nine years. The result matters because it underlines Northern Ireland’s strong start after moving back into the competition’s second tier and keeps them well placed in the group.