Young duo at heart of Nations League’s meanest defence

Northern Ireland go into their final Nations League Group B2 matches against Ukraine and Hungary top of the group, having yet to concede a goal. The run has continued despite injuries and positional changes, with young centre-backs Ruairi McConville and Tom Atcheson helping to anchor the defence.

McConville, 21, has 16 caps and leads the group for clearances, while 20-year-old Atcheson has made six appearances and is still to concede in 428 minutes of international football. They have formed a developing partnership alongside Ciaron Brown, as Trai Hume covers at right-back and Dan Ballard is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Northern Ireland play Ukraine in Belfast on Saturday before travelling to Budapest to face Hungary on Tuesday.