Northern Ireland 1-0 Romania: ‘Pre-match nerves light spark for goalscorer Weir’

Weir showed that calmness and composure in abundance with her goal, arriving in the right place at the right time to sweep home a fine low cross from Halliday.

Those traits were not as evident in the celebration, but that can be excused on such a momentous occasion.

“I thought maybe this could be my night, I took the first chance I had so I was buzzing,” Weir continued.

“To get my first goal at the National Stadium is unreal. I didn’t know what to do [after scoring] I just let everyone run to me, I just thought ‘there’s no way’ but it feels great.”

The young forward seems to have already formed a good understanding with fellow striker and Northern Ireland captain Magill, someone she looked up to when breaking through.

“She’s an inspiration playing in the nine and me being a striker as well she is a really good mentor on and off the pitch and playing alongside her is amazing.

“We had two strikers, so we were rotating, it felt fluid, and it felt good to have runners in behind and others dropping deep to play the set and go [passes].”

The ambitious teenager believes Northern Ireland should now be hunting down group leaders Poland, who drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.

Tanya Oxtoby’s side are three points behind Poland, who they face next at Windsor Park on 30 May before finishing their campaign against the Bosnians on 3 June.

“I feel the squad is strong and everyone knows we’re capable of it. I feel as long as we go out and perform in the next two games, we are more than ready to top the group.”