Tonight’s matches are huge for both sides, but arguably more so for Northern Ireland.
They can put themselves into Northern Irish history tonight if they equal or better Wales’ result against Belarus by being the first ever Northern Ireland women’s side to qualify for a play-off in a major tournament. They are strong favourites against a side with a -37 goal difference from the six matches they have played.
Wales themselves face a Belarus side who have picked up six points so far and can secure their place in the top three of the group. Leon Imber will take you through the action as it happens.
NIR v FAR – Starting line-ups
WAL V BEL – Starting line-ups
KICK OFF – NIR V FAR
NIR V FAR – 5′ – GOAL – Jensa Kannuberg Tórolvsdóttir (FAR) 0-1
Wow! Faroe Islands with their first goal in the competition. An attempted shot wormed its way through the Northern Irish defence and Tórolvsdóttir found herself with a tap in.
NIR V FAR – 7′ – GOAL – Rachel Furness (NIR) 1-1
What a response. Furness headed into a sea of bodies and the ball found its way into the net. A great response by Kenny Shiels’ side.
KICK OFF – WAL v BEL
WAL V BEL
5′ – A relatively quiet start at Rodney Parade, both sides have cancelled each other out well so far. This is a huge match for Wales tonight and you can sense some of the Welsh nerves.
NIR V FAR
19′ – Faroe Islands certainly don’t look like the side that have struggled so much so far. Sometimes a few naïve moments with misplaced passes but on the whole, they are holding Northern Ireland pretty well at the moment.
NIR V FAR
22′ – Good chance there for Northern Ireland. Julie Nelson hit a delightful cross-field ball which was nestled down and placed in the path of Emily Wilson from close range, she couldn’t finish though and it is a let off for Faroe.
NIR V FAR – 27′ – GOAL – KIRSTY MCGUINNESS (NIR) 2-1
What a goal! Northern Ireland went from defence to attack in perfect fashion. The ball fell to McGuinness on the edge of the box and she curled home a lovely finish into the far corner.
WAL V BEL – GOAL – 15′ – NATASHA HARDING (WAL) 1-0
Wales have the opener and as results stand, they’re through! Jessica Fishlock unlocked the Belarus defence before laying it off to Harding who finished expertly. Well worked.
WAL V BEL
21′ – Wales are pushing for the second, the ball bounced around the box and into the feet of a series of Welsh players but no real chance could be forced. Harding is certainly working her way into some testing areas though.
NIR V FAR
36′ – The home side are happy to play a patient game here, lots of passing around the defensive line and I guess you would have to say that so far, it is working. Although they will be very disappointed to concede to a side that haven’t scored in their other six games in this competition.
WAL V BEL
28′ – Belarus threaten for the first time. Anastasiya Novikova plays a great ball forward from deep in midfield but Kseniya Kubichnaya couldn’t foce the keeper into a save. The ball deserved better.
WAL V BEL
30′ – So close. Fishlock with enterprising play yet again. She crosses for Ffion Morgan who heads onto the bar. What a chance to double the lead that was.
NIR V FAR – HALF TIME – NORTHERN IRELAND 2-1 FAROE ISLANDS
WAL V BEL – 34′ – GOAL – RACHEL ROWE (WAL) 2-0
What a strike Rowe. Wales very much in the driving seat here and look set for qualification. The home side certainly look superior here in terms of quality.
WAL V BEL
39′ – It has been a good reaction from the away side, a series of chances fell to present them with the chance of a route back into the match but they fired over the bar on each.
WAL V BEL
42′ – Anastasiya Shcherbachenia fires wide for Belarus, their finishing has been poor in honesty and Wales have shown them how to do it with their two goals. The Welsh lead looks pretty safe.
WAL V BEL – HALF TIME – WALES 2-0 BELARUS
NIR V FAR – KICK-OFF
NIR V FAR
48′ – That was an absolute sitter. McGuinness came close but the follow up by Marissa Callaghan had to be tucked away. She got her footing all wrong and fluffed her lines. That is very unfortunate. McGuinness has been very lively though and looks a player of real quality out there.
NIR V FAR – 56′ – GOAL – CHLOE MCCARRON (NIR) 3-1
What an absolute screamer that is. McCarron looked forward and the chance opened up for her from what must have been about 25 yards. She’s been instrumental for Northern Ireland tonight and deserves that goal.
WAL V BEL – KICK OFF
NIR V FAR
63′ – Pure commitment from Furness there, a free-kick was lofted into the area and she pelted herself at it. In the process, the number 10 launched herself over the advertisement boards. You don’t love to see people hurt but you do love to see that kind of passion.
WAL V BEL
53′ – Big shouts for a penalty there on Rowe, should that have been given? She’s tumbled down in the box and it’s certainly one that would have called upon VAR.
WAL V BEL
59′ – What on earth. How did that not go in? A demonic strike from a close range free-kick by Shcherbachenia smacked the crossbar and set up a glaring header for Viktoriya Kazakevich and she couldn’t convert. Belarus’ finishing let them down yet again.
NIR V FAR – 77′ – GOAL – CAITLIN MCGUINNESS (NIR) 4-1
First it was Kirsty, now it’s Caitlin. She joins her sister on the scoresheet with a clinical close range finish as the knock down from a corner wasn’t defended well at all.
WAL V BEL – 72′ – GOAL – JESSICA FISHLOCK (WAL) 3-0
Harding was brought to ground in the box and the penalty had to be given. It was stonewall. Fishlock converted with ease and it’s three for Wales. The goal scorer deserved a goal for her playmaking efforts tonight.
NIR V FAR – 87′ – GOAL – RACHEL FURNESS (NIR) 5-1
It was a scrappy one but Furness furthered Northern Ireland’s lead. Her second of the evening was a proper goal scorers finish. Must say that the home side have been excellent in this second half and are fully deserving of their lead.
WAL V BEL
80′ – Sophie Ingle goes close. She struck the ball from 20 yards but got just a bit too much under it. The shot went marginally too high and it easily could have been four.
NIR V FAR – FULL TIME – NORTHERN IRELAND 5-1 FAROE ISLANDS
Northern Ireland make the Euro playoffs! Very deserved and their performance was very good. Despite an early blip conceding in the first five minutes, Shiels’ side picked themselves up and got themselves straight back into the game. Their patient and resilient way of playing allowed no way back for Faroe Islands and it was one-way traffic from there. Congratulations Northern Ireland.
WAL V BEL
86′ – Belarus’ decision making is also letting them down big time here. Twice in quick succession Shcherbachenia made excellent runs down the right side of the Welsh defence and both times the pass was released way too late.
WAL V BEL
90′ – The game has quietened down massively as both sides await the final whistle, they both know what the outcome of the match is going to be.
WAL V BEL – FULL TIME – WALES 3-0 BELARUS
A comprehensive night at Rodney Parade as Wales run out 3-0 winners. Their lead was never really threatened and they looked far superior from the first whistle.
