Today’s fixtures see both Northern Ireland and Wales battle it out in their respective games to qualify for Euro 2022.
Wales take on Belarus this evening, meanwhile Northern Ireland host Faroe Islands. Norway have already qualified for the competition, whilst the two British teams currently sit in second and third in group C.
Both Belarus, who are on 6 points and Faroe Islands, who have yet to gain any points will be unable to qualify this evening. Emillia Hawkins takes you through all the action as it happens in what promises to be an incredibly competitive evening of international football.
Starting Line-ups: Wales vs Belarus
Starting Line-ups: Northern Ireland vs Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands Starting XI: Oluva Joensen, Asla Johannesen, Birita Ryan, Jacoba Langgaard, Sigrid Jacobsen, Elisabeth Vang, Julia Mortensen, Kara Djurhuus, Sara Lamhauge, Jensa Kannuberg Trolvsdottir, Olga Kristina Hansen.
Kick Off: Northern Ireland vs Faroe Islands
1′ Faroe Islands get the game underway by sending a long ball towards the opposition box.
4′ GOAL: Faroe Islands take the lead as the ball is crossed into the penalty area and Jensa Kannuberg Torolvdottir taps it in from 5 yards out.
Northern Ireland 0-1 Faroe Islands
6′ GOAL: Northern Ireland respond quickly as Rachel Furness heads the ball into the back of the net from a few yards out after some confusion in the penalty area.
Northern Ireland 1-1 Faroe Islands
Kick Off: Wales vs Belarus
23′ The home side are looking more and more intimidating, that goal has really given them a boost of confidence.
27′ GOAL: It was only a matter of time before Northern Ireland took the lead. Kirsty McGuinness receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area and places a wonderful shot into the bottom right corner.
Northern Ireland 2-1 Faroe Islands
15′ GOAL: Wales take the lead as Jessica Fishlock manages to keep the ball in the penalty area before passing it to Natasha Harding who slots it past Nataliya Voskobovic in goal.
Wales 1-0 Belarus
20′ Wales are continuing to press the Belarus defence. Angharad James finds the ball in the penalty area but her shot is blocked by the defender.
38′ Lauren Wade drives the ball into the penalty and has a shot on goal, but her shot is comfortably saved by Joensen. The home side are really in control of this game now.
26′ Substitution for Belarus: Anastasia Shuppo makes way for Tatyana Krasnova.
42′ Northern Ireland come close to increasing their lead as K.McGuinness sends an excellent cross into the box, Furness is on the end of it but her header is sent well over the crossbar.
31′ Wales come agonisingly close to doubling their lead as James crosses the ball into the box to Jessica Fishlock, who then sends the ball to Ffion Morgan. Morgan’s header from close range rattles the post.
Half Time: Northern Ireland 2-1 Faroe Islands
34′ Goal: Wales extend their lead as James lays the ball off to Rachel Rowe in the penalty area, her shot flies into the top left corner of the goal.
Wales 2-0 Belarus
38′ Belarus have an effort on goal as the ball is forward to Shuppo, but her shot heads well over the crossbar.
40′ This Wales defence is looking very strong, Belarus are struggling to get through. The home team go on another attack, but James’ cross in to Fishlock is cleared away.
Half Time: Wales 2-0 Belarus
Kick Off: Northern Ireland 2-1 Faroe Islands
47′ Northern Ireland have a great opportunity to extend their lead early in the second half as the ball is crossed into the box, K.McGuinness flicks it over to Lauren Wade whose shot flies wide of the right post.
56′ GOAL: Northern Ireland increase their lead in some style as Chloe McCarron receives the ball around 30 yards from goal and sends a rocket of a shot into the top left corner.
Northern Ireland 3-1 Faroe Islands
Kick Off: Wales 2-0 Belarus
63′ McGuinness sends a free kick towards Furness in the penalty area, however she is unable to get any control of the ball and Faroe Islands have a goal kick.
54′ Wales appeal for a penalty as Valerie Bohdan makes contact with Rowe, who then goes down in the box. The referee signals for play to continue.
57′ Belarus have a free kick on the edge of the Wales penalty area. Anastasia Shcherbachina is the person to take it, and her effort rattles the crossbar. This has been the closest that the away side have come to scoring, they are improving more as the game goes on.
74′ Wade attempts a shot from just outside the box, but a deflection sends it high into the air. As the ball comes back down Furness sends a headed effort towards goal but it is saved by the goalkeeper.
77′ Furness finds the ball on the edge of the Faroe Islands’ penalty area, she sends it into the danger zone and the defence is unable to deal with it. Caitlin McGuinness manages to receive the ball in a tight area and put it into the back of the net.
Northern Ireland 4-1 Faroe Islands
GOAL: Wales win a penalty as Natasha Harding is taken down from behind in the box by Anastasia Linnick. Fishlock steps up to take it and slots it into the bottom left corner.
Wales 3-0 Belarus
GOAL: Northern Ireland make it 5 as K.McGuinness sends a corner towards the back post and Furness taps it in from a tight angle.
Northern Ireland 5-1 Faroe Islands
Full Time: Northern Ireland 5-1 Faroe Islands
After a shaky start, Northern Ireland dominated the game, giving Faroe Islands very few opportunities. They have secured their Euro 2022 play-off place in great fashion, a historic day for the Northern Ireland Women’s team.
84′ The Wales defence are still doing an excellent job at keeping the Belarus attack at bay, the away side have had very few opportunities throughout this game.
86′ Sophie Ingle sends a brilliant ball through to Fishlock, splitting the Belarus defence. Fishlock finds herself one-on-one with the Voskobovic, but the goalkeeper does well to claim the ball.
90+1′ Tatyana Krasnova comes close to scoring for Belarus, but her effort from close range is saved by Laura O’Sulivan.
Full Time: Wales 3-0 Belarus
Despite a superb performance and a well deserved clean sheet, Wales fail to qualify for Euro 2022. Northern Ireland’s win against Faroe Islands sees them take the play-off position.
