Norway 1-0 Northern Ireland: Chris Brunt scores own goal as Michael O'Neill's side play out disappointing loss with play-off place already secure

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Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup play-offs before a ball had been kicked in Oslo on a night when all the drama was in Ljubljana.

Scotland's failure to win in Slovenia an hour before kick-off here meant that Michael O'Neill's side were already guaranteed a place as one of the eight best group runners-up.

Northern Ireland are unlikely to be seeded when the draw is made in Zurich a week on Tuesday in the wake of a second Group C defeat in the space of four days after Chris Brunt scored an own-goal at a half-empty Ullevaal Stadium on Sunday night.

Northern Ireland's Chris Brunt slices the ball into his own goal during the second half

The ball had gone up into the air before Brunt made a terrible connection with it

Brunt looks visibly frustrated after helping to put Norway 1-0 up on Sunday night

Norway's players celebrate after Brunt's own goal handed them the lead in Oslo

But that should not detract from the fact they are 180 minutes away from Russia and a first World Cup finals since Billy Bingham's boys in 1986 just over a year after appearing at the European Championships for the first time.

O'Neill should also be at full-strength for the first leg of the play-off next month after all six of the players who were on a yellow card coming into this game – captain Steven Davis, Jonny and Corry Evans, Oliver Norwood, Josh Magennis and Stuart Dallas – avoided a second booking that would have brought an automatic one-match ban.

'Having got the news that we'd done enough before kick-off, it was important to get through the game and not lose anyone to suspension,' said O'Neill.

'It would have been a different game if we hadn't had the result from Slovenia.

'For a country of our size we have to enjoy this. We will make life extremely difficult for whoever we get in the playoff. The players know what the challenge will be, but there's no fear.

'I'm not sure being a seeded team will be a huge advantage. We will have to see the outcome of the games over the next 48 hours, but I think we can be a threat.

'Whoever we get in the play-offs, it will not be as tough as playing Germany.'

After losing to the world champions on Thursday, Northern Ireland seemed to lose a little of their edge once news of the Scotland result came in. All of a sudden, not being booked became as important as not being beaten for some of their key players.

Northern Ireland took on Norway with their World Cup 2018 play-off place already secure

Northern Ireland's Corry Evans manages to hold off Mohamed Elyounoussi

Stuart Dallas wins possession from Norway's Jonas Svensson during the second half

Goalkeeper Michael McGovern had to keep out efforts from Birger Meling and Stefan Johansen as Norway threatened in the first half, while Norwood and Davis both tried their luck from range at the other end.

Northern Ireland went closest to a goal three minutes after the restart when substitute George Saville combined with Conor Washington but was crowded out by keeper Orjan Nyland and three defenders as he raced through on goal. Saville was also guilty of blazing over the top when the ball fell to him 10 yards out.

Norway had two efforts disallowed either side of the decisive goal in the 71st minute. Conor McLaughlin was hurt in a challenge with Stefan Johansen who got away down the left and clipped a cross over McGovern at his near post.

Kyle Lafferty tries to pick a pass after replacing Conor Washington in the second half

Michael O'Neill's side's play-off place was secure after Scotland failed to beat Slovenia

The keeper tipped the ball towards Brunt who tried to clear it off the line with the outside of his favoured left foot and instead turned the ball into the net.

The playoff promises to be an altogether more competitive affair, however. No-one will relish facing Northern Ireland now.

Norway coach Lars Lagerback, no stranger to giantkilling fears over the years with Sweden and Iceland, said: 'I would never count out Northern Ireland – they have a fair chance of beating anyone.'