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Gareth Fullerton

Kazakhstan beat Denmark in five-goal shock to shake up Northern Ireland's Euro 2024 group

Northern Ireland's Euro 2024 qualifying group took a huge twist on Sunday after 10-man Kazakhstan beat Denmark in a five-goal thriller.

The Danes are the top seeds in Group H but suffered an early setback in their campaign with a shock defeat in Astana.

They led 2-0 at the break thanks to a double from Rasmus Hojlund, but Kazakhstan produced a rousing comeback to claim all three points at the Astana Arena.

Read more: Northern Ireland vs Finland live score updates from the European qualifiers

Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute, and the score was level in the 86th minute when Askhat Tagbergen found the net for the hosts.

And in the 89th minute Kazakhstan bagged their winner through Abat Aymbetov.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the sixth minute of injury time when Aymbetov was shown a second yellow card, but they held out for a massive win.

The result means Northern Ireland sit top of Group H on goal difference heading into Sunday night's home game against Finland.

Denmark are second having played a game more, followed by Slovenia and Kazakhstan who also have three points.

Finland and San Marino remain without a point so far.

The result will give Michael O'Neill's side plenty of encouragement heading into Sunday's game against Finland.

A win in Belfast would leave Northern Ireland in a healthy position ahead of their next double-header which arrives in June against Denmark and Kazakhstan.

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