'Mini George Bests': An interview with the Charles brothers on clean sheets, late goals and chickens

Northern Ireland brothers Shea Charles (Fulham) and Pierce Charles (QPR, on loan from Manchester City) starred in their Nations League campaign, with Pierce recording four consecutive clean sheets and Shea scoring a late winner against Georgia.

Pierce and Shea Charles, Northern Ireland internationals living together in west London, have been central to their country's impressive Nations League B campaign. Goalkeeper Pierce made a crucial penalty save from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 65th minute against Georgia in Tbilisi on September 25, before his older brother Shea volleyed home a dramatic 99th-minute winner from a Trai Hume cross to secure a 1-0 victory.

The moment sparked celebrations across their family group chat and among friends back home. Pierce has since kept four consecutive clean sheets across the Nations League sequence, making Northern Ireland the only team among 54 Nations League countries not to have conceded a goal.

The brothers, separated by 20 months in age, display strong chemistry both on and off the pitch, with Shea, 23, and Pierce, 21, offering gentle ribbing and mutual support.

Northern Ireland face Ukraine in Belfast on Saturday and Hungary in Budapest on Tuesday. A four-point haul would guarantee a top-two finish and place Michael O'Neill's emerging squad in Pot 2 for December's Euro 2028 draw, along with associated prize money for the Irish Football Association.