Wales host Belarus in Newport tonight in a game they must win to stand any chance of clinching a play-off spot for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
Jayne Ludlow’s side are also reliant on Northern Ireland failing to beat the Faroe Islands – who have lost all six of their group C games so far, having conceded 37 goals and scored zero. The two sides face off in Belfast tonight, with Northern Ireland the overwhelming favourites.
If Wales and Northern Ireland both win their respective games tonight, Northern Ireland will secure the group C play-off spot at the expense of Wales due to having a better head-to-head record.
The teams drew 0-0 in Belfast and 2-2 in Newport, meaning Northern Ireland would finish above Wales on away goals. Goal difference only comes into play if head-to-head records are identical.
STARTING LINEUPS
Wales v Belarus
Wales starting XI: O’Sullivan, Roberts, Ladd, J.Green, Estcourt, Morgan, Ingle, James, Harding, Fishlock, Rowe
Belarus starting XI: Voskobovich, Kazakevich, Kubichnaya, Kozyupa, Bogdan, Linnik, Novikova, Pilipenko, Olkhovik, Schcherbachenya-Grazhina, Shuppo
Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands
Northern Ireland starting XI: Burns, Nelson, Hutton, McFadden, Callaghan, Caldwell, McCarron, Furness, Wade, K.McGuinness, Wilson
Faroe Islands starting XI: Joensen, Jacobsen, Langgaard, Ryan, Johannesen, Vang, Torolvsdottir, Lamhauge, Djurhuus, Mortensen, Hansen
#NIRFAR
KICK-OFF
The Faroe Islands get us underway at the Seaview Stadium.
#NIRFAR
1 min: Lauren Wade cuts in from the right and has a shot from distance, but it’s easily caught by Oluva Joensen.
#NIRFAR
GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 0-1 FAROE ISLANDS (TOROLVSDOTTIR 4)
The away side take a shock lead here in Belfast. Jensa Torolvsdottir finds the bottom corner from close range after the ball fell to her kindly following a deflection. That is the Faroe Islands’ first goal of the group stage. They couldn’t, could they?
#NIRFAR
GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 1-1 FAROE ISLANDS (FURNESS 6)
Instant response from the hosts to level things up early on. Joensen spills Chloe McCarron’s corner which causes chaos in the penalty area, eventually resulting in Rachel Furness finding the back of the net with a header from six yards out.
#NIRFAR
8 mins: Julie Nelson picks out Marissa Callaghan with a raking long ball. Callaghan produces a great first touch to set herself, then sees her effort from a tight angle saved behind for a corner by Joensen.
#WALBEL
KICK-OFF
Belarus get us underway at Rodney Parade. Oddly, the Belarus players failed to take the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. I’m unsure on whether they chose not to do so or they just wasn’t aware of what was happening. Hopefully it’s the latter.
#WALBEL
4 mins: Anastasiya Schcherbachenya latches on to a cross from the right and hooks an effort just wide of the post.
#NIRFAR
22 mins: Nelson produces another fantastic long ball to find Kirsty McGuinness, who cushions a header across goal into the path of Emily Wilson. The 19 year-old striker then tries to find the net with a header of her own, but her effort tamely floats straight into Joensen’s arms. Big chance wasted.
#WALBEL
11 mins: Natasha Harding gets on the end of Ffion Morgan’s cross from the right to force a good save from Nataliya Voskobovich with a headed effort on goal. The cross was slightly behind Harding so she did well to generate power on the header.
#NIRFAR
GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 2-1 FAROE ISLANDS (K.MCGUINNESS 27)
K.McGuinness curls home an excellent strike from the edge of the box to give the hosts a 2-1 lead. Considering it was with her weaker right foot, that was an incredible goal. Northern Ireland are firmly in the driving seat now in the race for 2nd spot in group C.
#WALBEL
GOAL! WALES 1-0 BELARUS (HARDING 15)
After some good work on the right-hand side, Jessica Fishlock cuts the ball back for Harding who initially mis-hits the ball with her first attempt, but rolls it past Voskobovich at the second time of asking. Wales are doing their part to make the play-offs, but require the Faroe Islands to get back into their game with Northern Ireland.
#WALBEL
24 mins: Sophie Ingle tries her luck from range, but her well-struck effort is straight at Voskobovich.
#NIRFAR
38 mins: Nelson looked to be clean through on goal but is thwarted by a Faroe Island’s defender making an important last-ditch block.
#WALBEL
26 mins: An early change for the visitors sees Karina Olkhovik be replaced by Tatyana Krasnova. Olkhovik didn’t look to be carrying an injury so the change must be tactical.
#NIRFAR
42 mins: K.McGuinness whips in a wonderful delivery from the left, however Furness is unable to keep her header down as it sails over the bar for a goal kick.
#WALBEL
31 mins: Fishlock picks up a good position in the penalty area and unselfishly lifts a ball into Morgan who’s header strikes the top of the post. The build-up play by Wales was superb.
#NIRFAR
HALF-TIME
Northern Ireland 2-1 Faroe Islands
After an early scare, Northern Ireland have recovered well to take a 2-1 lead into the break. Kenny Shiels’ side have completely dominated proceedings here in Belfast and as things stand, they’re heading for the play-offs – despite the fact that Wales lead Belarus in Newport.
#WALBEL
GOAL! WALES 2-0 BELARUS (ROWE 34)
Rachel Rowe doubles the hosts’ lead with a looping effort into the top corner from just inside the right-hand side of the box. That is a spectacular goal from the 28 year-old.
#WALBEL
44 mins: Anastasia Linnik finds Schcherbachenya who’s half-volleyed attempt from a tight angle goes just wide of the post.
#WALBEL
HALF-TIME
Wales 2-0 Belarus
The hosts are two goals to the good heading into half-time and have been largely dominant against a Belarus side who look void of ideas. There’s still hope for Wales with regards to clinching 2nd in the group given that the Faroe Islands are only a goal behind in Newport.
#NIRFAR
SECOND-HALF BEGINS
Northern Ireland get us back underway for the second-half.
#NIRFAR
47 mins: Joensen shows excellent reactions to deny K.McGuinness from close range after the Northern Irish striker tries to convert Wade’s low-driven cross from the right-hand side. Callaghan should score on the rebound but skews her shot wide.
#NIRFAR
GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 3-1 FAROE ISLANDS (MCCARRON 56)
McCarron finds the top corner with an absolute screamer from 30 yards out. That is an unbelievable strike. Northern Ireland will be delighted to now have a two goal cushion and a bit of breathing space in this game.
#WALBEL
SECOND-HALF BEGINS
Wales get us back underway in Newport. Anastasia Shlapakova has replaced Ksenia Kubichnaya for the away side.
#NIRFAR
64 mins: Northern Ireland make a double substitution as Caitlin McGuinness and Samantha Kelly replace Emily Wilson and Ashley Hutton.
#NIRFAR
70 mins: The Faroe Islands make a double change of their own with Julia Mortensen and Olga Kristina Hansen making way for Lea Lisberg and Mona Rasmusdottir.
#WALBEL
58 mins: Schcherbachenya rattles the crossbar with a powerfully struck free-kick. So unlucky.
#NIRFAR
75 mins: Kelly has a shot from just outside the box which is tipped over the bar by Joensen.
#NIRFAR
76 mins: Northern Ireland make their third change of the evening as Joely Andrews comes on for Nadene Caldwell.
#NIRFAR
GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 4-1 FAROE ISLANDS (C.MCGUINNESS 77)
C.McGuinness is in the right place at the right time to fire home from close range after the Faroe Islands fail to clear their lines. Both the McGuinness sisters are on the scoresheet for Northern Ireland tonight now. The hosts are surely heading for the play-offs.
#WALBEL
70 mins: Wales make their first substitution of the evening as Charlotte Estcourt comes off for Lily Woodham.
#NIRFAR
83 mins: Wade cuts inside from the left-hand side and forces a good save from Joensen who tips the ball behind for a corner. Joensen has had an extremely busy evening, and you sense she’s still got more to do.
#WALBEL
71 mins: PENALTY TO WALES! Linnik clips Harding from behind with a clumsy challenge inside the area and receives a yellow card for her troubles.
#WALBEL
72 mins: Belarus make a quick substitution just before the penalty is taken as Milana Surovtseva replaces Anastasia Shuppo.
#WALBEL
GOAL! WALES 3-0 BELARUS (FISHLOCK 72 PEN)
Voskobovich dives the right way but Fishlock finds the bottom corner with aplomb. They may not be heading for the play-offs, but Wales can be proud of their performance tonight.
#NIRFAR
GOAL! NORTHERN IRELAND 5-1 FAROE ISLANDS (LANGGAARD 86 OG)
The home side have a fifth. Furness pokes the ball back across goal at the far post and it hits Jacoba Langgaard before creeping into the back of her own net. Unfortunate for the Faroe Islands defender. Looks like the Twitter admin for Northern Ireland has got carried away and put it down as Furness’ goal.
#NIRFAR
89 mins: K.McGuinness fizzes in a dangerous looking delivery from the left but it evades everyone.
#NIRFAR
90 mins: There are four minutes of added time to see out before the hosts can begin their celebrations.
#WALBEL
79 mins: Wales make another change as Morgan makes way for Georgia Walters.
#WALBEL
80 mins: Ingle tries her luck from the edge of the area while off balance but sees her effort sail just over the bar.
#NIRFAR
FULL-TIME
Northern Ireland 5-1 Faroe Islands
Peeeeeep. The whistle blows for full-time as Northern Ireland begin their celebrations. They’ve made it to the play-offs after a comprehensive victory over the Faroe Islands tonight. History makers.
#WALBEL
85 mins: Ingle produces a wonderful first-time pass to send Fishlock through on goal but Voskobovich is quick off her line to smother her.
#WALBEL
87 mins: Triple change for the home side as Rowe, Harding and Fishlock make way for Kayleigh Green, Gemma Evans and Nadia Lawrence.
#WALBEL
88 mins: Belarus make a double change as Anastasia Kharlanova and Anna Sas come on for Schcherbachenya and Linnik.
#WALBEL
90+1 mins: Laura O’Sullivan denies Krasnova from close range to keep Wales’ clean sheet intact.
#WALBEL
FULL-TIME
Wales 3-0 Belarus
It’s all over in Newport in what has turned out to be a bittersweet night for Wales. They’ve beaten Belarus convincingly with a tremendous performance but have been unable to clinch a play-off spot as a result of Northern Ireland’s win over the Faroe Islands.
