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When the qualifying draw was made in December, there was an understandable assumption that Germany would top the group and seal automatic qualification with Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Luxembourg fighting among themselves for the play-off spot afforded to the runner-up.

Slovakia’s victory over the four-time World Cup winners to kick things off last month has instead opened up myriad possibilities.

Friday night’s visitors to Windsor Park, who followed up their shock result against the Germans with late victory in Luxembourg, know that another three points in Belfast would be a huge step towards booking their place at next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

While the side ranked 42nd in the world did not make the tournament in 2022, they reached the European Championships either side and were beaten by England at the last-16 stage in 2024 only after Jude Bellingham’s spectacular 96th-minute overhead kick.

Manager Francesco Calzona is the first foreign boss in the country’s history and came recommended by Slovakian legend Marek Hamsik from their time together at Napoli, where the Italian was an assistant coach.

Ties to the Serie A champions do not stop there with midfielder Stanislav Lobotka the side’s key player. The 30-year-old, however, has emerged as a major injury doubt for the game on Friday.

Another with recent Champions League experience, Atletico Madrid full back David Hancko, is another who could miss out.

While O’Neill said he would not believe their absences until the pair were missing when the anthems are played at Windsor Park, should Slovakia be without both then Middlesbrough striker David Strelec will be expected to carry a greater load.

The performances of 19-year-old Feyenoord winger Leo Sauer for the national side have sparked excitement too.

He was replaced by Mexican reserve Luis Carrera for the remainder of the round, with their combined score counting towards their team Smash GC’s score.

LIV said Koepka can return for the second and third rounds but his score would contribute only to his team’s.

Players compete individually and for teams at LIV events.

They tee off at the same time on different holes, known as a shotgun start.

Koepka, who has won five times on the LIV tour, missed the cut at the Masters in April and the US PGA Championship in May, and finished tied for 12th at this month’s US Open.

Speaking about his form after the first round of the US Open, he said: “I would say from the first weekend in April until about last week, you didn’t want to be around me.

“It drove me nuts. It ate at me. I haven’t been happy. It’s been very irritating.”

The former world number one won the most recent of his majors in 2023 at the US PGA.

Juve will have taken a psychological knock even before kick-off, seeing the name of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri on the team sheet – it was the 29-year-old’s first start since sustaining a serious knee injury against Arsenal nine months ago.

The Spaniard managed 65 minutes and showed why he is so integral to this City team, displaying his assuredness in the middle of the park with a metronomic performance, completing a total of 67 passes.

By the time he left the pitch, only defender Ruben Dias (84) had more touches on the ball than Rodri’s 79, highlighting the importance of controlling the game.

“Everyone knows how important is Rodri,” said Guardiola. “He is one of the best players in the world. I am happy he had a good 60 minutes and he can help us a lot.

“Last season we couldn’t do it for the injuries. This season we can have players fit and try to perform similar to today.”

Guardiola said a lengthy injury list derailed last season but against Juve he had an almost entirely fit squad to select from, barring the injured Claudio Echeverri.

Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Phil Foden were all on the scoresheet as City racked up 13 goals in their three group stage games.

“The forward play and the goals Man City score is fantastic,” said Given. “When they won the title four times in a row we thought these guys were robots.

“Even Pep mentions ‘we have got our mojo back’. We have got the Man City back, which we all thought was automatic.

“It shows us that they are just human beings.”