Northern Ireland's wall holds: three clean sheets and none conceded

Northern Ireland are the only team yet to concede a goal in the 2026-27 Nations League.

Three games. Three clean sheets. Zero against. It is a perfect defensive start on their return to the competition's second tier, League B, where teams can win promotion to the top level BBC Sport.

The run began with a win without conceding away to Georgia in Tbilisi. It continued with a 0-0 draw against Hungary in Belfast. It grew into something louder with a 3-0 win over Ukraine on 2 October 2026.

Goalkeeper Pierce Charles set the tone in Georgia. He saved a penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, one of Europe's most feared forwards, and was named player of the match BBC Sport.

That back line has not had it easy. Defenders Daniel Ballard and Conor Bradley missed the Hungary and Ukraine games through injury. Hungary still barely laid a glove on them at Windsor Park. Their only shot on target came in injury time.

Ukraine was a different kind of shutout. Northern Ireland held only 27.2% of the ball, the lowest share Opta has ever recorded for a team winning a Nations League game by more than one goal. They still scored three times. Isaac Price got one of them, his 11th goal for his country BBC Sport.

The numbers stretch further back. Across the 2024-25 and 2026-27 Nations League campaigns, Northern Ireland have kept seven clean sheets in nine games and conceded only three goals. After three games this autumn they had scored four and conceded none BBC Sport.

What makes this stand out is how new it feels. This is a young squad, away from home for big results, grinding at home when it must. Another clean sheet against Georgia in Belfast would give them their longest run without conceding in nine years.

For fans, this means something simple. Every game starts at 0-0. Right now, no one in Europe is protecting that better.