Michael O’Neill, the Northern Ireland manager, remained optimistic despite his team's narrow 2-1 defeat to Denmark in their friendly match in Copenhagen on Saturday, June 7, 2025. O’Neill emphasized that the game provided a valuable test for his young squad, particularly with the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign in mind, which commences in September.

Northern Ireland took an early lead in the match thanks to an own goal by Denmark's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. O’Neill's side managed to hold firm defensively for a significant portion of the first half, preventing Denmark from registering a shot on target until Gustav Isaksen's impressive strike leveled the score in stoppage time.

The second half saw Christian Eriksen score the decisive goal for Denmark, securing their victory. Despite the defeat, O’Neill focused on the positives, acknowledging the character his team displayed and the valuable experience gained against a high-quality opponent. He highlighted the importance of such games in preparing his relatively young team for the challenges that lie ahead.

"We showed a lot of character, we stayed in the game at 2-1 which isn't easy," O'Neill told BBC Sport NI. "You have to get to that final phase of the game when you get an opportunity. It's a very young team against an experienced team. Physically it was tough at times for us tonight but overall we got what we wanted out of the game."

O'Neill felt the match had an edge to it, more akin to a competitive fixture than a friendly, which he viewed as beneficial for his players. He praised their strong start and solid defending in the first half, while also noting the unfortunate timing of Denmark's equalizer just before the break.

Northern Ireland now turn their attention to another friendly against Iceland in Belfast on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. These matches serve as crucial preparation for their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, where they will face Germany, Slovakia, and Luxembourg. O’Neill has specifically highlighted the importance of the Denmark game in mirroring the intensity and environment they can expect when they face Germany in Cologne.

The Northern Ireland manager is in his second spell in charge, having returned to the post in December 2022. His previous tenure saw the nation qualify for Euro 2016, their first major tournament in 30 years. O'Neill's focus is now on building a team capable of competing in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, blending experienced players with emerging talent.

Trai Hume captained Northern Ireland in the match against Denmark, a moment of pride for the young player despite the defeat. He echoed O’Neill’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for the team to learn from the experience and stick together as they face tough challenges ahead.

O’Neill is clear that these friendly matches are about exposing his squad to a higher level of competition. The aim is to bridge the gap between the Nations League and the intensity of World Cup qualifying. While acknowledging areas for improvement, particularly in retaining possession and creating more chances, O’Neill remains upbeat about the progress his team is making. He also acknowledged the physical demands on his players, given that some had finished their club seasons earlier than others. Managing these different stages of fitness was a key part of the preparation for these June games.