Netherlands player Wieke Kaptein. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
21 mins ago
8:01PM
14 mins: More positive play ends with Sheva’s low cross deflected out for a corner.
They certainly haven’t been afraid to get bodies forward.
24 mins ago
7:58PM
10 mins: Wieke Kaptein, the 20-year-old Chelsea youngster, attempts a pot shot that goes narrowly wide.
Moments later, Miedema slips through Beerensteyn, who gets in behind Mannion but can’t get past Brosnan, with her teammates in the box frustrated that she didn’t square it.
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 7, 2026
1 hr ago
7:14PM
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
Ireland had an encouraging performance but a disappointing result against France as they opened their World Cup qualification campaign on Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium.
They kept one of the best sides in the world at bay for long spells and took an early lead through Katie McCabe before the French hit back in the second half, thanks to substitute Melvine Malard’s brace.
A last-gasp Denise O’Sullivan effort cleared off the line reinforced the sense that it wasn’t going to be Ireland’s night, but Carla Ward praised the dogged performance afterwards, with her side unlucky not to come away with a point.
They will be hoping to maintain that performance level in Utrecht tonight and achieve a better outcome, but will be underdogs again versus a Netherlands team that are 16 places above them in the Fifa rankings.
The Dutch themselves will be less than satisfied after an opening 2-2 draw with Poland — the team that many pundits are tipping to compete with Ireland for third spot in the group.
But it will undoubtedly be another big test for Ward’s side, with the hosts possessing no shortage of world-class performers to choose from in their squad.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
The other game in the group, in which France host Poland, starts slightly later (8.10pm Irish time).
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LIVE: Netherlands v Ireland, World Cup qualifier
Netherlands 1-0 Ireland
Here’s a look at Hayes’ early chance…
32 mins: Murphy makes a positive run forward.
She slips it to Carusa, whose attempt on goal is blocked by Olislagers.
30 mins: Nervy moment as Brosnan comes but fails to gather a Dutch free kick into the box.
Fortunately, it falls to McCabe, who clears her lines.
27 mins: Katie McCabe has been given a warning by the referee after a late challenge on Roord.
Ireland are still finding it difficult to get the ball, with the Dutch continuing to control the play.
Here’s a look at the goal…
The Dutch have been looking increasingly dominant in the last few minutes and have got their reward.
It’s a well-worked move down the right, culminating with a low cross by Wilms that Beerensteyn gets on the end of.
NETHERLANDS 1-0 IRELAND (BEEREENSTEYN 20)
14 mins: More positive play ends with Sheva’s low cross deflected out for a corner.
They certainly haven’t been afraid to get bodies forward.
10 mins: Wieke Kaptein, the 20-year-old Chelsea youngster, attempts a pot shot that goes narrowly wide.
Moments later, Miedema slips through Beerensteyn, who gets in behind Mannion but can’t get past Brosnan, with her teammates in the box frustrated that she didn’t square it.
6 mins: Another big chance.
Carusa hooks it across goal, and Hayes (again!) heads wide under pressure from the Dutch defender.
4 mins: Decent start by Ireland.
Carusa wins a corner as her cross deflects off the Dutch player.
McCabe’s delivery finds Hayes, whose header deflects narrowly wide after coming off Wilms.
We’re underway…
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
And here is how the Dutch will line out…
Confirmation of the Ireland starting XI below, with Denise O’Sullivan the notable absentee through injury…
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
Ireland had an encouraging performance but a disappointing result against France as they opened their World Cup qualification campaign on Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium.
They kept one of the best sides in the world at bay for long spells and took an early lead through Katie McCabe before the French hit back in the second half, thanks to substitute Melvine Malard’s brace.
A last-gasp Denise O’Sullivan effort cleared off the line reinforced the sense that it wasn’t going to be Ireland’s night, but Carla Ward praised the dogged performance afterwards, with her side unlucky not to come away with a point.
They will be hoping to maintain that performance level in Utrecht tonight and achieve a better outcome, but will be underdogs again versus a Netherlands team that are 16 places above them in the Fifa rankings.
The Dutch themselves will be less than satisfied after an opening 2-2 draw with Poland — the team that many pundits are tipping to compete with Ireland for third spot in the group.
But it will undoubtedly be another big test for Ward’s side, with the hosts possessing no shortage of world-class performers to choose from in their squad.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
The other game in the group, in which France host Poland, starts slightly later (8.10pm Irish time).
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Carla Ward Liveblog Minute-by-Minute Soccer Ireland Republic Netherlands World Cup qualifying