Jimmy Quinn, Stephen Penney and Colin Clarke...

Jimmy Quinn, Stephen Penney and Colin Clarke scored first-half goals, leading Northern Ireland past Malta, 3-0, at Belfast in the opening European qualifying match for soccer’s 1990 World Cup.

Northern Ireland, which made the World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986, had won only one of its previous 13 matches. It is in Europe Group 6 with Hungary, Ireland, Malta and Spain. The top two teams advance to the final in Italy.