Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Northern Ireland and Lithuania go head to head at Windsor Park in the 2022 World Cup qualifier. The Green and White Army aim to make amends for back-to-back losses to Switzerland and Bulgaria, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at the Lithuanians. Both Taylor and Southwood have received call-ups, but, as always, a man to watch in the home team will be Jonny Evans, who has recovered from a long-term injury.
The visitors, on the other hand, are stuck at the bottom of Group C, with the team collecting only three points in total in the process. Lithuania are low on confidence following a heavy 4-0 loss to Switzerland, and they are unlikely to spoil Northern Ireland’s party at Windsor Park. All Verbickas, Kazlauskas, and Veliulis are pushing for a start for the home team.
Highlighted Player (Jonny Evans):
Originating from Belfast, Jonny Evans is one of the most famous football players from the new generation of the Northern Ireland national team, although numerous injuries prevented the centre-back from showing all he’s got.
Coming through the famous Manchester United youth academy, Evans was promoted to the senior set up by club icon Sir Alex Ferguson and he would go on to lift four Premier League trophies with the Red Devils, making over 130 league appearances for the club before moving to West Bromwich Albion in 2015. During his time at Old Trafford, the defender usually played back up to Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but made quite a few appearances in important games, including 31 Champions League outings.
As soon as he was given a chance to impress at Manchester United, Evans was called to the Northern Ireland national team and he has made over 40 appearances on international stage since 2006, helping his country qualify for the Euro 2016 finals.
Highlighted Team (Lithuania):
Lithuania was occupied by Soviet Union in 1940 and 50 years later they regained their independence. The Lithuania national football team played their first official game on June 24, 1923, with the team suffering a heavy 5-0 loss to Estonia in Kaunas.
The former Soviet republic have yet to book their place at the finals of a major tournament, but they were competitive in the UEFA Euro 2004 qualifiers as they managed to play out a draw with Germany on the road. Lithuania managed to beat Scotland in the qualifiers for the 2004 European Championship, but they eventually failed to book their place at the showpiece tournament in Portugal. Marius Stankevicius is considered Lithuania’s most notable footballer as he played for the likes of Lazio, Hannover, Sampdoria, Sevilla and Valencia in the past.
LFF Stadium is the home ground of the Lithuania national football team and the venue, who capacity is 5.067, was opened in 2004. Lithuania play their home games on artificial turf.