Wales and Northern Ireland both play their final games of group C today with the results set to decide who will go on to play in the UEFA Women’s Championship in 2022.
Northern Ireland find themselves in the driving seat as they push to qualify for their first ever major tournament. As long as they match Wales’ result tonight then they will qualify despite currently having 13 fewer goal difference. This because they have scored two away goals against Wales, while Wales failed to score in their away game against Northern Ireland.
Wales V Belarus
Here are the official line ups.
Out come the players here.
Drama will surely be in store.
KICK OFF – Belarus get us underway.
4′
Both teams looking cagey so far, multiple short passes have been intercepted well.
Wales will be hoping to retain possession better as the game continues.
11′
Natasha Harding with a great leap and header across goal but it just clips the post.
Wales will be wanting more of that creativity as the game progresses.
15′ Wales 1-0 Belarus – Harding
Jess Fishlock is able to win the ball after some poor defending before passing across to Harding.
Harding seems to panic at first as she stumbles over the ball but is then able to stab it home to put Wales ahead.
They’re certainly doing their part.
21′
Harding definitely being used as the focal point for Wales, always looking to either cross into her or play into her and allow her to lay it off.
Good start for Wales, but Belarus will surely improve.
27′ SUBSTITUTION FOR BELARUS
Tatyana Krasnova on/Karina Olkhovik off.
Interesting from Belarus this, doesn’t look as if Olkhovik is injured so it may be a tactical change as they look to get back into this game.
31′
Wales hit the post again, as Ffion Morgan heads Fishlock’s cross into the right post.
They may come to regret missing chances like these.
33′ Wales 2-0 Belarus – Rowe
Rachel Rowe plays a nice one-two inside the Belarus box before hitting a dipping strike into the top left of the Belarus net. The keeper was rooted to the spot, absolute no chance for her.
Almost looks as if she tried to cross it, but even if she did then she wont care. Wales earn their breathing room.
40′
Belarus really haven’t turned up yet, but Wales have to get credit for not letting them even try and play the ball out.
The high press is really working against Belarus with them creating multiple chances already from winning the ball deep into the Belarus half.
45′
One added minute.
HALF-TIME: WALES 2-0 BELARUS
Wales are certainly doing they’re part to try and qualify in second place, but it’s not quite enough at the moment with Northern Ireland leading.
It’s been a promising half for Wales as they’ve really been able to force Belarus back at every chance they can get.
Wales will want to put more distance between the two sides in the second half, as the press they have employed so far could leave them extremely tired and open towards the end of the game.
SUBSTITUTION FOR BELARUS
Anastasia Shlapakova on/Ksenia Kubichnaya off.
45′ Wales kick off in the second half.
53′
Belarus playing dangerously as one or two challenges in their box result in penalty shouts from the Wales team.
The referee isn’t interested though and waves play on.
59′
Belarus extremely unfortunate to not score their first and get back into the game as Anastasiya Shcherbachenia crashes the ball off the crossbar from her free-kick.
67′
Belarus have had much more space to play with the ball in this second half, the Wales press not being utilised as much so far.
70′ SUBSTITUTION FOR WALES
Charlotte Estcourt off/Lily Woodham on.
71′ Penalty to Wales
Harding uses her body well to block the defender, who comes steaming in and takes her down.
71′ Yellow card to Anastasia Linnik.
72′ Wales 3-0 Belarus – Fishlock
Powered into the bottom left by Fishlock, good end to this campaign for Wales despite them not going through.
72′ SUBSTITUTION FOR BELARUS
Anastasia Shuppo off/Melana Surovtseva on.
79′ SUBSTITUTION FOR WALES
80′
Wales are searching for their fourth of the game with two long-ranged strikes whistling just wide of the goal.
85′
Strong defending again from Wales as they are able to clear the ball following a fantastic cross from Belarus.
85′
Fishlock really should be doing better there as she looks to take the ball around the keeper, but Voskobovich is able to take the ball from her and clear it out.
87′ SUBSITUTION FOR WALES
87′ SUBSTITUTION FOR BELARUS
Anna Sas & Anastasiya Kharlanova on/Anastasia Linnik & Anastasiya Shcherbachenia off.
90′
Four minutes added time.
FULL-TIME: WALES 3-0 BELARUS
Wales do get their win over Belarus, who really didn’t turn up today as they were easily pushed aside by this Wales team,
Unfortunately for Wales, Northern Ireland did get the expected result as they smashed Faroe Islands 5-1 meaning Wales miss out on progressing into the playoffs for qualification.
A good result nonetheless for Wales who will now be looking forward to World Cup qualification.
Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands
Here are the official line ups.
Faroe Islands Staring XI:
Óluva Joensen, Sanna Jacobsen, Jacoba Langgaard, Birita Ryan, Ásla Johannesen, Elisabet Vang, Jensa Kannuberg Tórolvsdóttir, Sara Lamhauge, Kára Djurhuus, Julia Naomi Mortensen, Olga Kristina Hansen.
Out come the players here.
Lets hope for some action.
KICK OFF – Faroe Islands get us kicked off.
4′ Northern Ireland 0-1 Faroe Islands – Tórolvsdóttir
What a horrible start for Northern Ireland, they go one down within five minutes which only makes this task harder.
Great start for Faroe Islands though, that’s their first goal of the tournament as Tórolvsdóttir is able to slot into an empty net after some poor defending from Northern Ireland.
6′ Northern Ireland 1-1 Faroe Islands – Furness
That’s not a bad way to respond. Rachel Furness reacts fastest to the ball being spilled in the area following a corner and is able to head it in.
Everything’s back level, that might settle Northern Ireland.
13′
Northern Ireland certainly settled since their goal. Starting to take control of this game now, could be a long night for Faroe Islands if they continue like this.
20′
Faroe Islands do look to have composed themselves after that fast start. Holding the ball much better now.
22′
That’s a poor shot by Emily Wilson as she tries to stab home from just yards out. Better contact and that’s 2-1 to Northern Ireland.
The diagonal ball from right to left seems to be working well for Northern Ireland already, using that constantly to get in behind the Faroe Islands defence.
27′ Northern Ireland 2-1 Faroe Islands – McGuinness
What a strike that is by Kirsty Mcguinness. She uses the overlapping winger to create space as she cuts in on her weaker right foot before whipping a beautiful strike into the top right.
Northern Ireland in the driving seat now.
36′
Northern Ireland looking much more composed now that they have taken the lead.
Looking to pass it from the back rather than hit it long to the strikers.
45′
One added minute.
HALF-TIME: NORTHERN IRELAND 2-1 FAROE ISLANDS
It’s looking good for Northern Ireland so far, as they were able to bounce back after the early scare of conceding.
They are in complete control now though and surely more goals will follow.
As it stands Northern Ireland are set to finish in second place, but it’s not done yet with the second 45 to come.
45′ Northern Ireland get us back underway.
48′
Fantastic save by Joensen to stop McGuinness from making it three for Northern Ireland from point-blank range.
But Marissa Callaghan really should’ve scored the rebound as she hit wide from yards out. Just couldn’t get her feet sorted out.
54′
Northern Ireland have turned it up a notch since coming out for the second half. Not letting Faroe Islands rest at all as they constantly look to break through their defence.
56′ Northern Ireland 3-1 Faroe Islands – McCarron
That is absolutely unbelievable from Chloe McCarron. As the ball drops to her nicely she takes her chance and smashes a looping shot over the keeper.
Two goals of the highest quality have been scored here today.
64′ SUBSTITUTION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
History is made as sisters Caitlin and Kirsty are on the pitch together. The first time two sisters have been on the same pitch for Northern Ireland.
69′
Caitlin McGuinness has looked extremely bright in the few minutes she has been on the pitch.
Constantly involved and very tidy on the ball with multiple twists and turns leaving the defenders not able to get near her.
71′ SUBSTITUTION FOR FAROE ISLANDS
Olga Kristina Hansen & Julia Naomi Mortensen off/Lea Símunardóttir Lisberg & Mona Rasmusdóttir on.
76′ SUBSTITUTION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
Joely Andrews on/Nadene Caldwell off.
76′ Northern Ireland 4-1 Faroe Islands – Caitlin McGuinness
Multiple deflections within the Faroe Islands box ends with Caitlin McGuinness stabbing the loose ball into the net.
That’s surely game done for Northern Ireland.
84′ SUBSTITUTION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
86′ Northern Ireland 5-1 Faroe Islands – Furness
Furness grabs her second of the game as she is just able to latch onto the end of a long ball and grabs her second of the game.
What an end to the game this is for Northern Ireland.
90′
Four minutes added time.
92′ SUBSTITUTION FOR FAROE ISLANDS
Sarita Mittfoss & Marita á Fríðriksmørk Jarnskor & Durita Hummeland on/Kára Djurhuus & Sanna Jacobsen & Sara Lamhauge off.
Final sub made for Faroe Islands.
93′ Yellow card to Elisabeth Vang.
FULL-TIME: NORTHERN IRELAND 5-1 FAROE ISLANDS
It’s all finished here in Belfast as Northern Ireland do indeed make history as they book their place into the playoffs for the European Championships, the first time ever.
A real dominant performance by the Northern Irish side as well, apart from the early setback it never really looked in doubt.
