Good evening and welcome along to our coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s latest step in their qualification journey for the 2027 World Cup.
Tonight, they face Group A2 leaders the Netherlands at Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Carla Ward’s side are currently third in the group with only the winners earning direct qualification to the World Cup. But finishing second or third could mean they will have an easier route to the World Cup.
France are up next week, but the focus is on the Dutch tonight at the home of Cork GAA. This venue has become something of a fortress for Ireland as they are currently two wins from two here. Win number three could be on the way this evening.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 7.30pm kick-off. And as always, we want to hear from you. Let us know if you’re attending the game this evening or have any thoughts on how you think this will go.
3 hrs ago
6:36PM
Ireland
Ruesha Littlejohn and Abbie Larkin come in to replace the suspended Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy.
The Dutch are the first to go on the attack as Caitlin Hayes slides in to intercept a cross and get the ball away.
Another attack towards the Ireland goal follows but Courtney Brosnan is able to gather it comfortably.
2 hrs ago
7:36PM
4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
Marissa Sheva intercepts a pass along the sideline but a heavy touch from Aoife Mannion on the loose ball sees her almost put the ball out over the line and her attempt to keep it in sees Netherlands get it back.
Ireland then get a throw after some good work from Sheva and Ireland get another throw further up along the line.
2 hrs ago
7:39PM
4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
Kyra Carusa, Mannion and Sheva combine well to get a cross in, but the ball is headed away, and the Netherlands counter quickly. Chloe Mustaki comes under pressure from Lineth Beerensteyn, but she muscles her off the ball and Courtney comes out to get the clearance.
2 hrs ago
7:40PM
7 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
MISS!
Esmee Brugts has a go from just outside the box but it goes wide. Relief for Ireland.
2 hrs ago
7:41PM
8 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
Ireland chance!
Carusa was in after a ball in behind from Sheva. Her final touch is too heavy and the ball is swiped away from her.
2 hrs ago
7:44PM
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
A free is awarded to the Netherlands after a foul by Anna Patten on Romee Leuchter. The ball is floated in by Lynn Wilms, but the ball pops up off a head and Brosnan jumps up to claim it.
Brugts gets another chance shortly after inside the box but she blasts it over.
2 hrs ago
7:46PM
14 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
Mannion and Sheva work well again to send the ball in over the top for Carusa. The cross fails to find an Irish shirt as the Netherlands build again.
2 hrs ago
7:48PM
16 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
An Ireland kick-out comes to Abbie Larkin who tries to hook it forward for Carusa. There’s too much on it though as Carusa slides in to try and claim possession.
Super stuff from Ireland as they take the lead against the A2 group leaders. It all came from a beautiful pass by Ruesha Littlejohn who got on a loose ball and putt Abbie Larkin through.
She slipped it across to Carusa for the final touch past Netherlands goalkeeper Lize Kop. Ireland have all the momentum now and are pressing well from the next phase of play.
2 hrs ago
7:57PM
25 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
CROSSBAR!
The Netherlands come back fighting after conceding that goal as Wilms lets one fly from outside the box and clatters the crossbar with a powerful shot.
It doesn’t look like Brosnan got any fingers to it and that’s a let-off for Ireland.
Ireland win the first corner of the game. Again, Sheva and Mannion are instrumental from a throw-in and Carusa wins the corner for Ireland.
Katie McCabe will take it.
2 hrs ago
8:01PM
29 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
The visitors get the header away and McCabe drifts back into play where she calls for a switch in play, but it doesn’t come.
2 hrs ago
8:04PM
32 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
The rain continues to come down in a torrent and the Netherlands are enjoying a bit more of the possession now. A cross comes in which Mannion manages to direct away with a header and the Netherlands will have their first corner.
2 hrs ago
8:05PM
34 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Hayes gets the clearance. The ball is looped back in but Wilms can’t get to it at the back post.
2 hrs ago
8:07PM
35 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Good work by Hayes to get under a Dutch delivery. Netherlands come back again but Brosnan reads a pass well to get down on the ball.
10 minutes to go before half-time and Ireland are still looking good to defend that lead.
2 hrs ago
8:09PM
38 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Patten gets the boot in to put the ball out for a Netherlands throw. Janou Levels tries to wheel around Megan Connolly but the Cork woman gets a toe on it to put it down for a corner.
The delivery finds Veerle Buurman, but she heads it wide.
2 hrs ago
8:11PM
39 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
A dangerous Netherlands cross bounces across the goal and smoothly into the arms of Brosnan.
2 hrs ago
8:14PM
42 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Carusa wins a free while controlling possession from an Ireland kick-out. Hayes loops it forward for Mannion to get a touch on it. The Netherlands get boxed in at the corner and the result is an Ireland throw.
They work the ball around patiently before putting in a cross. Littlejohn tries to connect on the back post, but it’s too far ahead of her.
2 hrs ago
8:15PM
43 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Carusa wins it back. The ball is sent forward by Connolly for Sheva to run after, and she does brilliantly to chase it down and keep it in play and she manages to send it across, but it’s booted away.
1 hr ago
8:18PM
45 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
One minute of added time announced as play is stopped for treatment to be given to Damaris Eggurola after a challenge by Carusa.
And here comes that change for Ireland: Jess Ziu is in for Littlejohn who created the move for that goal in the first half.
1 hr ago
8:36PM
47 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Netherlands go on the attack early with Ziu putting the pressure on and the ball eventually comes to Carusa and the ball is cleared away.
1 hr ago
8:37PM
48 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Now it’s Ireland’s turn to attack and Hayes and Ziu put Ireland up the flank. Larkin tries to find Carusa, but the result is a corner.
1 hr ago
8:38PM
49 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
McCabe sweeps it in, but the ball fizzes across off a Dutch head. Sheva sends it back and Patten tries to squeeze her header in, but the ball goes wide.
1 hr ago
8:40PM
51 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Another Netherlands shot from outside the box as Levels hits it first time but it’s rising all the time and no threat in that shot.
1 hr ago
8:42PM
53 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Ella Peddemors the latest to take a shot at goal for the Netherlands, but she’s off balance when she takes the shot and again, it drifts harmlessly wide.
1 hr ago
8:44PM
55 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Brosnan alert again to the danger to get off her line and claim the cross. The Netherlands come again from the next attack but Ireland are applying pressure around the middle and Patten eventually kicks it out for a throw.
1 hr ago
8:47PM
55 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Three Netherlands changes: Daniëlle van de Donk, Marisa Olislagers and Jackie Groenen all coming in. Ella Peddemoors, Damaris Egurrola and Janoir Levels all make way.
1 hr ago
8:50PM
60 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Ireland get a corner after some good work from Sheva but they don’t get anything from it.
1 hr ago
8:50PM
60 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Netherlands chance!
Brosnan does well to get her fist to a cross from Wilms. She gets there just in time as Beerensteyn is coming in.
1 hr ago
8:53PM
64 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
SAVE!
Brilliant again from Brosnan to get her body down when Beerensteyn tried to tap in a cross from Brugts. Beerensteyn may have been offside there, but she will be disappointed not to finish that when she has just the keeper to beat.
Another nervy moment from Ireland as they come forward with Ziu and McCabe swings a ball in, but it floats over the back of the penalty area.
1 hr ago
8:54PM
65 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Ireland almost pay a big price from a back pass to Brosnan from Mustaki. But she’s there in time and gets the ball away.
1 hr ago
8:56PM
67 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
BROSNAN SAVE!
Some serious acrobatics there to get up off the ground and get her fingertips under a thunderous strike from the substitute Jackie Groenen.
This a serious period of pressure, but Ireland are still surviving.
Netherlands will have a penalty after Mannion slides in on Groenen in the box after a brilliant Netherlands attack. Beerensteyn did brilliantly there as well.
Brosnan was unlucky not to keep that penalty out by Dominique Janssen and Ireland respond almost straight away with that goal from Larkin. And it’s no more than she deserves, she’s been brilliant tonight.
Sheva played a big role there too along the wing and her cross finds Larkin for the final touch to put Ireland back in front.
1 hr ago
9:05PM
76 mins: Ireland 2-1 Netherlands
Ireland changes: Amber Barrett and Leanne Kiernan are coming in for the goalscorers Carusa and Larkin.
After taking the lead again, Ireland have conceded again. And it was so preventable really as the substitute Pelova puts the sides on level terms after getting on the ball in the box and evading the challenge from Mustaki.
1 hr ago
9:15PM
85 mins: Ireland 2-2 Netherlands
Ireland change: Saoirse Noonan replaces Connolly for the final few minutes. Noonan has scored here before, remember. Can she do it again in front of her home crowd in Cork?
1 hr ago
9:16PM
87 mins: Ireland 2-2 Netherlands
Brosnan gets out again to parry away a cross.
59 mins ago
9:18PM
88 mins: Ireland 2-2 Netherlands
Corner for Ireland. Barrett does well to carry the ball forward under pressure.
Unbelievable scenes here in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It came from that corner which was sent in from Ziu. The ball bounced out to Sheva who clipped it back in, and it took a touch from Patten across the face of goal where Barrett was waiting at the back post where she got her boot to it.
Shades of Troy Parrott there. What a goal.
51 mins ago
9:25PM
93 mins: Ireland 3-2 Netherlands
Blow for Ireland as Leanne Kiernan is dismissed with a second yellow card. It was so unfortunate but she did catch the Netherlands player high and Ireland are down to 10.
Six minutes of added time to be played here.
50 mins ago
9:26PM
93 mins: Ireland 3-2 Netherlands
Barrett does well to kill some of the time by holding the ball up in the corner. Ireland thought they had a throw there but the Netherlands have it back and will attack once more with all they’ve got.
They took the lead twice, conceded twice but managed to summon one final effort to get the winner. Kyra Carusa, Abbie Larkin and Amber Barrett get the vital goals to keep Ireland’s hopes of direct qualification for the World Cup alive.
And plus, that’s Ireland’s winning record in Páirc Uí Chaoimh preserved as Carla Ward’s side go three from three here.
35 mins ago
9:41PM
Before you go, have a read of Emma Duffy’s match report live from Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Thank you all for being with us this evening. We hope you enjoyed the coverage and look forward to having you with us again.
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As it happened: Republic of Ireland earn 3-2 win over the Netherlands in World Cup qualifier
Good evening and welcome along to our coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s latest step in their qualification journey for the 2027 World Cup.
Tonight, they face Group A2 leaders the Netherlands at Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Carla Ward’s side are currently third in the group with only the winners earning direct qualification to the World Cup. But finishing second or third could mean they will have an easier route to the World Cup.
France are up next week, but the focus is on the Dutch tonight at the home of Cork GAA. This venue has become something of a fortress for Ireland as they are currently two wins from two here. Win number three could be on the way this evening.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 7.30pm kick-off. And as always, we want to hear from you. Let us know if you’re attending the game this evening or have any thoughts on how you think this will go.
Ireland
Ruesha Littlejohn and Abbie Larkin come in to replace the suspended Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy.
And here is the Netherlands team
IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe; Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn, Marissa Sheva; Kyra Carusa, Abbie Larkin.
NETHERLANDS: Lize Kop; Lynn Wilms, Dominique Janssen, Veerle Buurman, Janou Levels; Damaris Eggurola, Ella Peddemors, Wieke Kaptein; Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn, Romee Leuchter.
As always, some pre-match reading for you:
It’s raining here in Páirc Uí Chaoimh now as both teams work through their warm-ups.
Just over 15 minutes to go, call it here.
Poll Results:
In the other Group A2 game this evening, France defeated Poland 2-0 meaning Ireland are guaranteed at least third place.
The rain is not letting up here as the teams prepare to make their way onto the field.
Anthems have been sung, and it’s almost time to get going in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Kick-Off! Ireland v Netherlands
1 min: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
The Dutch are the first to go on the attack as Caitlin Hayes slides in to intercept a cross and get the ball away.
Another attack towards the Ireland goal follows but Courtney Brosnan is able to gather it comfortably.
4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
Marissa Sheva intercepts a pass along the sideline but a heavy touch from Aoife Mannion on the loose ball sees her almost put the ball out over the line and her attempt to keep it in sees Netherlands get it back.
Ireland then get a throw after some good work from Sheva and Ireland get another throw further up along the line.
4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
Kyra Carusa, Mannion and Sheva combine well to get a cross in, but the ball is headed away, and the Netherlands counter quickly. Chloe Mustaki comes under pressure from Lineth Beerensteyn, but she muscles her off the ball and Courtney comes out to get the clearance.
7 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
MISS!
Esmee Brugts has a go from just outside the box but it goes wide. Relief for Ireland.
8 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
Ireland chance!
Carusa was in after a ball in behind from Sheva. Her final touch is too heavy and the ball is swiped away from her.
12 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
A free is awarded to the Netherlands after a foul by Anna Patten on Romee Leuchter. The ball is floated in by Lynn Wilms, but the ball pops up off a head and Brosnan jumps up to claim it.
Brugts gets another chance shortly after inside the box but she blasts it over.
14 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
Mannion and Sheva work well again to send the ball in over the top for Carusa. The cross fails to find an Irish shirt as the Netherlands build again.
16 mins: Ireland 0-0 Netherlands
An Ireland kick-out comes to Abbie Larkin who tries to hook it forward for Carusa. There’s too much on it though as Carusa slides in to try and claim possession.
GOAL! Ireland 1-0 Netherlands (Kyra Carusa ’18)
23 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
What a goal!!
Super stuff from Ireland as they take the lead against the A2 group leaders. It all came from a beautiful pass by Ruesha Littlejohn who got on a loose ball and putt Abbie Larkin through.
She slipped it across to Carusa for the final touch past Netherlands goalkeeper Lize Kop. Ireland have all the momentum now and are pressing well from the next phase of play.
25 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
CROSSBAR!
The Netherlands come back fighting after conceding that goal as Wilms lets one fly from outside the box and clatters the crossbar with a powerful shot.
It doesn’t look like Brosnan got any fingers to it and that’s a let-off for Ireland.
Here’s that Carusa goal again
27 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Ireland win the first corner of the game. Again, Sheva and Mannion are instrumental from a throw-in and Carusa wins the corner for Ireland.
Katie McCabe will take it.
29 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
The visitors get the header away and McCabe drifts back into play where she calls for a switch in play, but it doesn’t come.
32 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
The rain continues to come down in a torrent and the Netherlands are enjoying a bit more of the possession now. A cross comes in which Mannion manages to direct away with a header and the Netherlands will have their first corner.
34 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Hayes gets the clearance. The ball is looped back in but Wilms can’t get to it at the back post.
35 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Good work by Hayes to get under a Dutch delivery. Netherlands come back again but Brosnan reads a pass well to get down on the ball.
10 minutes to go before half-time and Ireland are still looking good to defend that lead.
38 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Patten gets the boot in to put the ball out for a Netherlands throw. Janou Levels tries to wheel around Megan Connolly but the Cork woman gets a toe on it to put it down for a corner.
The delivery finds Veerle Buurman, but she heads it wide.
39 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
A dangerous Netherlands cross bounces across the goal and smoothly into the arms of Brosnan.
42 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Carusa wins a free while controlling possession from an Ireland kick-out. Hayes loops it forward for Mannion to get a touch on it. The Netherlands get boxed in at the corner and the result is an Ireland throw.
They work the ball around patiently before putting in a cross. Littlejohn tries to connect on the back post, but it’s too far ahead of her.
43 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Carusa wins it back. The ball is sent forward by Connolly for Sheva to run after, and she does brilliantly to chase it down and keep it in play and she manages to send it across, but it’s booted away.
45 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
One minute of added time announced as play is stopped for treatment to be given to Damaris Eggurola after a challenge by Carusa.
Half-Time! Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Jess Ziu is out warming up so it looks like she could be making an appearance soon.
The teams are back out now, ready to go for the second half.
Second Half: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
45 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
And here comes that change for Ireland: Jess Ziu is in for Littlejohn who created the move for that goal in the first half.
47 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Netherlands go on the attack early with Ziu putting the pressure on and the ball eventually comes to Carusa and the ball is cleared away.
48 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Now it’s Ireland’s turn to attack and Hayes and Ziu put Ireland up the flank. Larkin tries to find Carusa, but the result is a corner.
49 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
McCabe sweeps it in, but the ball fizzes across off a Dutch head. Sheva sends it back and Patten tries to squeeze her header in, but the ball goes wide.
51 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Another Netherlands shot from outside the box as Levels hits it first time but it’s rising all the time and no threat in that shot.
53 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Ella Peddemors the latest to take a shot at goal for the Netherlands, but she’s off balance when she takes the shot and again, it drifts harmlessly wide.
55 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Brosnan alert again to the danger to get off her line and claim the cross. The Netherlands come again from the next attack but Ireland are applying pressure around the middle and Patten eventually kicks it out for a throw.
55 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Three Netherlands changes: Daniëlle van de Donk, Marisa Olislagers and Jackie Groenen all coming in. Ella Peddemoors, Damaris Egurrola and Janoir Levels all make way.
60 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Ireland get a corner after some good work from Sheva but they don’t get anything from it.
60 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Netherlands chance!
Brosnan does well to get her fist to a cross from Wilms. She gets there just in time as Beerensteyn is coming in.
64 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
SAVE!
Brilliant again from Brosnan to get her body down when Beerensteyn tried to tap in a cross from Brugts. Beerensteyn may have been offside there, but she will be disappointed not to finish that when she has just the keeper to beat.
Another nervy moment from Ireland as they come forward with Ziu and McCabe swings a ball in, but it floats over the back of the penalty area.
65 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Ireland almost pay a big price from a back pass to Brosnan from Mustaki. But she’s there in time and gets the ball away.
67 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
BROSNAN SAVE!
Some serious acrobatics there to get up off the ground and get her fingertips under a thunderous strike from the substitute Jackie Groenen.
This a serious period of pressure, but Ireland are still surviving.
PENALTY NETHERLANDS!
68 mins: Ireland 1-0 Netherlands
Netherlands will have a penalty after Mannion slides in on Groenen in the box after a brilliant Netherlands attack. Beerensteyn did brilliantly there as well.
Over to Brosnan to see if she can save this.
GOAL! Ireland 1-1 Netherlands (Dominique Janssen ’70)
GOAL! Ireland 2-1 Netherlands (Abbie Larkin ’71)
75 mins: Ireland 2-1 Netherlands
What an incredible response from Ireland!
Brosnan was unlucky not to keep that penalty out by Dominique Janssen and Ireland respond almost straight away with that goal from Larkin. And it’s no more than she deserves, she’s been brilliant tonight.
Sheva played a big role there too along the wing and her cross finds Larkin for the final touch to put Ireland back in front.
76 mins: Ireland 2-1 Netherlands
Ireland changes: Amber Barrett and Leanne Kiernan are coming in for the goalscorers Carusa and Larkin.
GOAL! Ireland 2-2 Netherlands (Victoria Pelova ’80)
84 mins: Ireland 2-2 Netherlands
So frustrating.
After taking the lead again, Ireland have conceded again. And it was so preventable really as the substitute Pelova puts the sides on level terms after getting on the ball in the box and evading the challenge from Mustaki.
85 mins: Ireland 2-2 Netherlands
Ireland change: Saoirse Noonan replaces Connolly for the final few minutes. Noonan has scored here before, remember. Can she do it again in front of her home crowd in Cork?
87 mins: Ireland 2-2 Netherlands
Brosnan gets out again to parry away a cross.
88 mins: Ireland 2-2 Netherlands
Corner for Ireland. Barrett does well to carry the ball forward under pressure.
GOAL! Ireland 3-2 Netherlands (Amber Barrett ’89)
90 mins: Ireland 3-2 Netherlands
Amber Barrett!!!!
Unbelievable scenes here in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It came from that corner which was sent in from Ziu. The ball bounced out to Sheva who clipped it back in, and it took a touch from Patten across the face of goal where Barrett was waiting at the back post where she got her boot to it.
Shades of Troy Parrott there. What a goal.
93 mins: Ireland 3-2 Netherlands
Blow for Ireland as Leanne Kiernan is dismissed with a second yellow card. It was so unfortunate but she did catch the Netherlands player high and Ireland are down to 10.
Six minutes of added time to be played here.
93 mins: Ireland 3-2 Netherlands
Barrett does well to kill some of the time by holding the ball up in the corner. Ireland thought they had a throw there but the Netherlands have it back and will attack once more with all they’ve got.
Full-Time! Ireland 3-2 Netherlands
Republic of Ireland 3-2 Netherlands
What a night for Ireland football.
They took the lead twice, conceded twice but managed to summon one final effort to get the winner. Kyra Carusa, Abbie Larkin and Amber Barrett get the vital goals to keep Ireland’s hopes of direct qualification for the World Cup alive.
And plus, that’s Ireland’s winning record in Páirc Uí Chaoimh preserved as Carla Ward’s side go three from three here.
Before you go, have a read of Emma Duffy’s match report live from Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Thank you all for being with us this evening. We hope you enjoyed the coverage and look forward to having you with us again.
Until next time, good luck!
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Ireland WNT Minute-by-Minute Netherlands Páirc Uí Chaoimh Republic Of Ireland Soccer