Michael Smith couldn’t have thought of a better way to open his Northern Ireland account as the Hearts star scored his first international goal in style.

Despite the Jambos man putting Michael O’Neill’s side 1-0 up against Germany, they eventually crumbled and lost 6-1 in Frankfurt.

Hearts’ reliable full-back still managed to grab his moment in the sun early on though. As showed by this clip, Smith’s strike really was one to remember on a personal note.

As the ball was bobbling across the 18-yard box following a cross into the box, it broke to Smith 25 yards from goal. With Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen to beat, the full-back made it look like child’s play.

He hit the ball low and hard into the bottom corner, sparking wild scenes in the away end. Unfortunately they couldn’t hold onto the lead but it was an impressive moment for Smith.

Northern Ireland will now look ahead to March, where they will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Euro 2020 play-offs. It would be a brilliant way for O’Neill to sign out of his Northern Irish tenure.

A landmark moment for Smith on Northern Ireland duty. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

It was a poor result in the end, but Smith can hold his head high after an exceptional strike in Frankfurt.

Have something to tell us about this article?