Northern Ireland striker Emily Wilson says she is ‘buzzing’ after scoring her first international goal against Luxembourg in the World Cup qualifiers.

The 20-year-old started the match in place of the injured Simone Magill and justified her selection with a well-taken finish at Inver Park.

“I was absolutely excited to achieve this goal tonight and I’m sure you can see it in my celebration,” she said.

“It was a good free kick from Furney [Rachel Furness] and she hit the post. I knew I had to be in the box and react to all the crumbs I could get. The ball came towards me, I touched it and luckily it entered.

“Then I was buzzing and celebrating with all the girls – it was awesome.”

Kenny Shiels’ side, in their first competitive game since their historic Euro 2022 play-off victory over Ukraine in April, performed professionally in front of their home support against the Luxembourg minnows.

With Everton Magill star forward injured, Wilson got a start and had a chance in the first minute at close range, which the Crusaders Strikers player admits “I probably should have scored”.

“I just kept my head up, tried not to focus on things like that in the game and I don’t think it affected me,” she added.

“I knew if I had another chance I would have to put it in the back of the net and luckily it worked.

“I found out that I was starting last night and I was so grateful and excited for the opportunity.

“Simone isn’t here and she’s such a good player for us, so I tried to do my best. I just tried to do what I usually do and not worry or become nervous. I just stayed relaxed and I’m trying not to think about it. too much, approach it like I would any other game. “

While very first international goal is special, Wilson’s parents were present at Inver Park to watch her find the net as spectators watched Northern Ireland in a competitive home game for the first time in nearly two years. .

“I had my mom and dad there and it was nice to see them in the crowd. The crowd was amazing tonight and really turned us on,” she added.

“When I scored I went straight to the corner flag but I knew where they were sitting. I admired them after I scored and there was a big smile on their faces which definitely made it more special . ”

Northern Ireland face Latvia in their second Group D match on Tuesday and this match will be the first time the senior women’s team have played at Winsor Park since 2010.

However, Wilson is one of the few players on the squad to have had the opportunity to play at Windsor Park for Northern Ireland when she lined up at the national stadium in the Under-19’s Euro. years in 2017.

“The opportunity to play on it was amazing and I will never forget,” she recalls.

“Some of the girls haven’t played it before, I’m grateful I got this opportunity and the girls are really excited.

“This is our home stadium so we are impatient and can now focus on Latvia.”