It was supposed to be another historic night at Windsor Park for Northern Ireland.
The side, led by former Sligo Rovers manager Ian Baraclough, took on the Republic's conquerors Slovakia with a place at Euro 2021 (or Euro 2020+1, whatever you care to call it) on the line.
It was an electric night at the old Belfast venue as Northern Ireland went behind early to a Juraj Kucka goal. However, the home side rallied in the second half, eventually finding an equaliser in the 88th minute through an own goal from Slovakia's Milan Skriniar.
In extra-time, Slovakia rallied and capitalised on poor defending from Jonny Evans and abject goalkeeping from Bailey Peacock-Farrell to score through Michal Duris.
Duris' strike was the difference between the sides, as Northern Ireland couldn't repeat their Euro 2016 heroics.
However, the highlight of the night was a 'disinfecting pod' which doused the 1,000 spectators allowed into Windsor Park to witness the match.
The ‘disinfecting pod’ here at Windsor Park welcomes some of the 1000 Northern Ireland fans allowed inside for tonight’s huge Euro qualifying play-off final v Slovakia. pic.twitter.com/l7XhDAc8Kx
— Dan Roan (@danroan) November 12, 2020
The strange nature of the pod lead to a number of people either questioning its effectiveness against COVID or just flat out taking the piss.
And Tonight Mathew, I’m going to be .........
— Cherry Picker🍒🍒 (@7clarkyred) November 12, 2020
About as useful as this pic.twitter.com/r6PVJtof4X
— Gareth (@gazzalfc09) November 12, 2020
— Max and Paddy Quotes (@maxandpaddyline) November 12, 2020
I would be chronically drunk or jump off a bridge if I was a virologist https://t.co/3I06CBItTn
— Lexi Alexander الكسندرا ميراي (@Lexialex) November 12, 2020
The finest tweet of the night, however, came from none other than former Shamrock Rovers defender and social media superstar, Pat Flynn.
That’s not a disinfecting pod
That’s a Catholic Maker with holy water from St Brigid’s Well in the Burren
Arrive a Protestant leave a Catholic https://t.co/jFcvgc0VOj
— Patrick Flynn (@pajoflynn) November 12, 2020
