Despite a draw with Luxembourg, Northern Ireland earned promotion to the Nations League.

Northern Ireland's two-goal lead evaporated in three minutes, but a 2-2 Nations League tie with Luxembourg was enough to propel Michael O'Neill's team to promotion as Group 3C victors.

Northern Ireland appeared to be in control after Isaac Price scored in the 19th minute and Conor Bradley increased their lead early in the second half, but Seid Korac pulled Luxembourg back into the game in the 72nd minute, and Gerson Rodrigues equalized moments later.

It set up a nervous end at the Stade de Luxembourg, but Northern Ireland held on for a point, which, combined with Bulgaria and Belarus's 1-1 draw, gave them a two-point lead in the group.

While Northern Ireland can celebrate promotion, O'Neill will be disappointed that his side squandered what appeared to be a comfortable lead as they sought their first competitive away win since defeating San Marino 2-0 in March last year - his first game back as manager.

O'Neill made two changes from Friday's 2-0 success over Belarus in Belfast, one of which was forced, and the average age dropped to 22.2, making Northern Ireland's youngest starting XI since World War II.

Ruairi McConville, who made his debut as a late substitute last week, replaced the suspended Ciaron Brown, and Ethan Galbraith earned his first start, five years after his debut in a friendly against the same opposition.

The Leyton Orient midfielder was part of Northern Ireland's lively, calm start, which saw Dion Charles almost score despite a late Korac challenge in the ninth minute.

Northern Ireland's midfield duo of Shea Charles and Ali McCann were once again excellent in regaining possession, setting up another opportunity in the 18th minute, but Price was unable to reach to meet Galbraith's low cross.

A minute later, Northern Ireland scored, almost just as before.

This time, Bradley won control, Shea Charles whisked it forward, and after a lovely step over from Dion Charles, Price curled it into the bottom corner of the net with a first-time shot, his fourth goal in six games and sixth overall for his country.

Price came near again with a curling effort, and he could have done much better at the end of the half when he skied a shot off Bradley's low delivery.

Northern Ireland was celebrating again five minutes into the second half, thanks in large part to a howler from goalkeeper Tiago Pereira.

Bradley's header from Price's cross should have been easy for the goalkeeper, but Pereira somehow let it to slip past him, giving Bradley the 100th Northern Ireland goal in O'Neill's two spells in command.

The Liverpool player should have made it 3-0 in the 65th minute from another Price cross, but he slid a shot wide with the goal open in front of him.

This left the door open for Luxembourg, who quickly barged through it. Former Norwich winger Daniel Sinani fired in a free-kick from deep, which Korac prodded home, with Pierce Charles beaten for the first time in his fourth Northern Ireland appearance.

Three minutes later, it was level. Northern Ireland could only partially clear a cross, and the ball fell to Rodrigues, who made no mistake with a half-volley into the top corner.

Several Luxembourg players rushed to greet goalkeeper Ralph Schon, who had just replaced Pereira and had set up the move with a long ball forward.

Schon stretched minutes later to block Galbraith's shot as the game opened up, but the score remained equal, and Northern Ireland held on.