Braiden Graham's goal secured Northern Ireland U19s' qualification through to the next stage of Euro 2026 qualification
Braiden Graham of Northern Ireland celebrates his crucial goal in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round win over Azerbaijan. Photo by Domenic Aquilina/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Braiden Graham of Northern Ireland celebrates his crucial goal in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round win over Azerbaijan. Photo by Domenic Aquilina/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Everton starlet Braiden Graham helped Northern Ireland take a massive step forwards in their pursuit of qualification for the Under-19s European Championships.
The teenager scored the only goal of the game to seal a 1-0 win for his side against Azerbaijan on Saturday.
The three points secured by the goal mean Northern Ireland are guaranteed to take their efforts to reach the 2026 Euros one step further. The victory means Graham and his teammates will gain valuable ‘elite’ experience whether or not they reach the finals in Wales next summer.
Qualification for the Euros is held over two stages, with 52 countries currently split into groups of four. Those that finish first and second will be joined by the best third-placed team and top seeds Spain in a second group-stage qualification process described as the ‘elite’ phase.
The seven group winners will make the finals, alongside the host nation. Northern Ireland are now guaranteed to finish in the top two of Group E after the win over Azerbaijan followed a 1-0 victory over Malta. They will face Czechia in the final game of this stage of qualification on Tuesday knowing a draw will be enough to top the group.
Graham’s goal in the 33rd minute was the difference and the teenage striker almost added a second during a busy performance that continues his surge around his birthday.
It followed a return to goalscoring form for Everton after his season was halted by a minor injury. Graham struck twice earlier this month as the Blues’ U21s stormed to a 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on the day he turned 18.
He now has four goals and an assist from nine games after an impressive start to the campaign that has seen him promoted to Paul Tait’s U21s set-up.
That came after a blistering start to life in Royal Blue following his move from Linfield in the summer of 2024. Graham scored eight goals in 12 matches for the U18s - including in the home and away wins over Liverpool - before ending the season in the U21s. In April, he scored four goals in a 5-4 U21s win at Tottenham Hotspur.
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