UEFA Europa League Qualifying: Linfield 3 IF Fuglafjordur 0 (agg 5-0)

Linfield sealed their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League by completing a comfortable win over IF on Wednesday.

Michael Gault, Jamie Mulgrew and Philip Lowry provided the goals for the hosts at Windsor Park, helping their team to a 3-0 victory on the night and a 5-0 aggregate success against their Faroese opponents.

David Jeffrey’s men were strong favourites to progress ahead of the second leg, but were forced to work hard to increase their lead by a determined visiting team.

Indeed, it took Linfield until the 40th minute to find a breakthrough, as Gault sent a header over helpless IF goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelson from James Knowles’ free-kick into the box.

That goal would prove enough to send the Northern Irish team into the break leading, and they would add to their tally just 10 minutes after the restart.

Mulgrew was the scorer this time, as he latched on to a well-weighted through-ball from Peter Thompson before coolly passing the ball beyond the onrushing keeper.

Linfield would then add to their tally with an hour on the clock when goalscorer Gault turned provider for Lowry, who produced an artful finish from the forward’s pass.

The hosts had little trouble in seeing the game out from then on, and can now watch Thursday’s numerous remaining qualifiers safe in the knowledge that their passage to the second qualifying round has already been sealed.