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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Opera singer's costume change goes down a treat at Windsor Park

You have to give Carly Paoli 10 out of 10 for effort.

The English classically-trained singer performed the pre-match anthems ahead of Northern Ireland's game against Italy on Monday night.

Windsor Park was packed for the World Cup qualifier, a match Italy needed to win to ensure they qualify for next year's finals in Qatar.

The Green and White Army were just looking for Ian Baraclough's side to sign off their qualifying campaign with a spirited performance.

The atmosphere was electric as the two sides entered the pitch, and the noise intensified as Paoli belted out the anthems.

She wore a classy blue cloak for her rendition of 'Fratelli d'Italia', or 'Il Canto degli Italiani' to give it its original name.

After singing the Italian anthem, Paoli then had a quick costume change, ditching the cloak to reveal a full Northern Ireland kit before singing 'God Save The Queen'.

And the choice of attire, coupled with her fantastic voice, earned rapturous applause from the home crowd.

One supporter tweeted: "Excellent!!! Book her for every game."

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