Two goals by skipper Steven Davis and one by stand-in striker Josh Magennis sent them through to a major tournament for the first time in 30 years
It was a first international goal for 25-year-old Magennis, who played for Northern Ireland as a goalkeeper at Under-17 level.
Before Thursday, Davis had not scored an international goal since 15 October 2013 against Israel in a World Cup qualifier
Captain Davis was one year old and Kilmarnock player Magennis not even born the last time Northern Ireland competed at a major finals - the 1986 World Cup when Billy Bingham was manager and the team included Pat Jennings, Mal Donaghy and Norman Whiteside.
Northern Ireland fans had endured 14 unsuccessful qualifying campaigns since then, but those repeated disappointments made Thursday night's celebrations all the sweeter.
With Romania drawing 1-1 at home to Finland, Northern Ireland will top Group F if they get a point in Finland on Sunday in their final qualifier
How Northern Ireland reached Euro 2016 |
|
|---|---|
| 7 September 2014 - Hungary 1-2 Northern Ireland | McGinn, Lafferty (scorers) |
| 11 October 2014 - Northern Ireland 2-0 Faroe Islands | McAuley, Lafferty |
| 14 October 2014 - Greece 0-2 Northern Ireland | Ward, Lafferty |
| 14 November 2014 - Romania 2-0 Northern Ireland | |
| 29 March 2015 - Northern Ireland 2-1 Finland | Lafferty 2 |
| 13 June 2015 - Northern Ireland 0-0 Romania | |
| 4 September 2015 - Faroe Islands 1-3 Northern Ireland | McAuley 2, Lafferty |
| 7 September 2015 - Northern Ireland 1-1 Hungary | Lafferty |
| 8 October 2015 - Northern Ireland 3-1 Greece | Davis 2, Magennis |
| 11 October 2015 - Finland v Northern Ireland | |
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