This evening’s game is arguably Ireland’s most important World Cup qualifier so far.
Carla Ward’s side suffered opening 2-1 defeats to France and the Netherlands.
Poland, though, are ostensibly the most beatable rival in the group, as they are the lowest-ranked opponent – Nina Patalon’s side are currently 24th, three places above the Girls in Green.
Only the group winners will qualify automatically, and Ireland are unlikely to achieve that feat on the back of two opening losses. However, even the difference between finishing third and fourth is significant, as the former provides a conceivably easier path towards 2027 World Cup qualification in the playoffs.
Ireland will also be determined to avoid Nations League relegation to League B, and to avoid that fate, they will surely need to pick at least one victory in their next two back-to-back fixtures against the Poles — the sides meet again at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off for today’s game is at 5pm.
14 Apr
4:26PM
Confirmation of the Irish team below.
RTÉ are reporting that Kyra Carusa picked up a bug overnight, meaning Abbie Larkin makes her first start of the campaign.
The only other change sees Denise O’Sullivan return after missing the Dutch game with a knee injury.
Lucy Quinn drops to the bench to accommodate the Liverpool star.
A view of the groundsmen tending to the pitch ahead of the match. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
14 Apr
4:47PM
Poland have just that in Ewa Pajor, who has scored 70 goals in 107 games for her country — that’s without getting into her eye-watering club exploits. Stopping her will be paramount.
But as Ward warned yesterday: “I think it would be naive to focus on one (player). Of course, you have to look at Pajor. Rightly so. She’s competing at the highest level, scoring goals, both in Champions League and La Liga. She’s a top, top player. But they’ve got a lot of top players.
You can read Emma Duffy’s full match preview here.
A view of the Ireland team during the anthems. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
14 Apr
5:09PM
6 mins: It’s been a scrappy start.
A ball ricochets into Sheva’s path after Poland concede possession cheaply, but the Sunderland star’s audacious attempt from about 30 yards out sails well over the bar.
14 Apr
5:13PM
10 mins: Padilla-Bidas’s attempt from distance is well off target.
Ireland have looked relatively comfortable so far, with neither goalkeeper troubled.
Patten makes a great last-ditch challenge to prevent Pajor getting a clean shot on goal, after a low cross by Tomasiak causes the Irish defence problems.
Poland haven’t offered much in attack, but that was certainly a scare for Ireland.
14 Apr
5:34PM
31 mins: The lively Tomasiak charges forward after McCabe is dispossessed.
But the Polish attacker unleashes a wayward shot from the edge of the area when she had good options to her left and right.
Ireland had a dream start, with goals from Emily Murphy and Katie McCabe putting them 2-0 up inside the opening 20 minutes.
After struggling early on, though, Poland improved and started to gain more control.
The hosts were rewarded just before half-time, when Pawollek headed home a cross from the influential Tomasiak.
Ireland will be mindful that they have let a lead slip already in this campaign, having led France 1-0 from the 12th to the 71st minute.
Carla Ward’s side will have hopefully learned from that disappointment and can consolidate their advantage this evening with a strong second-half performance.
It moves them ahead of Poland in the table and off the bottom.
They are only a point behind Netherlands now, although the Dutch host group leaders France in a game that kicks off at 7.45pm tonight.
Ireland deserved the victory.
They will feel it was probably more nervous in the end than it should have been.
The visitors looked comfortable for most of the second half, but Pajor’s late goal out of nothing, coupled with McCabe’s penalty miss, ensured an uncomfortable finish.
It leaves the Girls in Green in a strong position for a third-place finish at the very least in the group.
Carla Ward’s side will now fancy themselves to do the double over the Polish when the sides meet again at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
14 Apr
7:00PM
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have plenty more reaction to follow on the site shortly.
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As it happened: Poland v Ireland, World Cup qualifier
Poland 2-3 Ireland
Hello, and welcome to our liveblog.
This evening’s game is arguably Ireland’s most important World Cup qualifier so far.
Carla Ward’s side suffered opening 2-1 defeats to France and the Netherlands.
Poland, though, are ostensibly the most beatable rival in the group, as they are the lowest-ranked opponent – Nina Patalon’s side are currently 24th, three places above the Girls in Green.
Only the group winners will qualify automatically, and Ireland are unlikely to achieve that feat on the back of two opening losses. However, even the difference between finishing third and fourth is significant, as the former provides a conceivably easier path towards 2027 World Cup qualification in the playoffs.
Ireland will also be determined to avoid Nations League relegation to League B, and to avoid that fate, they will surely need to pick at least one victory in their next two back-to-back fixtures against the Poles — the sides meet again at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off for today’s game is at 5pm.
Confirmation of the Irish team below.
RTÉ are reporting that Kyra Carusa picked up a bug overnight, meaning Abbie Larkin makes her first start of the campaign.
The only other change sees Denise O’Sullivan return after missing the Dutch game with a knee injury.
Lucy Quinn drops to the bench to accommodate the Liverpool star.
Confirmation of the Poland starting XI…
Kinga Szemik; Aleksandra Zaremba, Oliwia Woś, Paulina Dudek, Martyna Wiankowska; Adriana Achcińska, Ewelina Kamczyk, Tanja Pawollek; Paulina Tomasiak, Ewa Pajor, Natalia Padilla-Bidas.
The pitch in Gdansk does not look in great shape ahead of today’s game…
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
You can read Emma Duffy’s full match preview here.
We’re underway…
3 mins: Early chance for Ireland.
O’Sullivan’s prodded pass deflects into Larkin’s path, and the attacker toe pokes it wide from a tight angle.
6 mins: It’s been a scrappy start.
A ball ricochets into Sheva’s path after Poland concede possession cheaply, but the Sunderland star’s audacious attempt from about 30 yards out sails well over the bar.
10 mins: Padilla-Bidas’s attempt from distance is well off target.
Ireland have looked relatively comfortable so far, with neither goalkeeper troubled.
POLAND 0-1 IRELAND (MURPHY 12)
Out of nothing, Ireland lead.
It’s Emily Murphy’s second international goal on her 12th cap.
After good work from McCabe and O’Sullivan in the build-up, the Newcastle player’s low shot from the edge of the area finds the net.
The Polish goalkeeper Szemik should have done better, but she can only palm Murphy’s effort into the net.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
POLAND 0-2 IRELAND (MCCABE 20)
A Connolly corner is only half cleared.
It falls to McCabe, who volleys it home spectacularly from the edge of the area.
That’s the Arsenal player’s 34th goal on her 104th cap.
23 mins: Patten’s inviting cross finds Murphy.
But the Newcastle player can’t direct her header on target.
Ireland are comfortably the superior team at the moment.
Here’s a look at the second Ireland goal…
Patten makes a great last-ditch challenge to prevent Pajor getting a clean shot on goal, after a low cross by Tomasiak causes the Irish defence problems.
Poland haven’t offered much in attack, but that was certainly a scare for Ireland.
31 mins: The lively Tomasiak charges forward after McCabe is dispossessed.
But the Polish attacker unleashes a wayward shot from the edge of the area when she had good options to her left and right.
37 mins: Poland had a decent five-minute spell, but Ireland have steadied the ship and look in control now.
Carla Ward couldn’t have wished for a much better start to this game.
Tomasiak slips through Kamczyk, but her shot from just inside the area goes wide.
Moments later, Pajor’s shot is deflected wide after a Brosnan mis-hit in the build-up.
POLAND 1-2 IRELAND (PAWOLLEK 42)
Tomasiak, who has looked dangerous all game, crosses for Pawollek, whose bullet header creeps in off the post.
That’s a setback for Ireland, conceding so close to half-time.
It’s probably deserved, though, as the hosts have improved since going 2-0 behind.
HALF-TIME: POLAND 1-2 IRELAND
So that’s the first half over.
Ireland had a dream start, with goals from Emily Murphy and Katie McCabe putting them 2-0 up inside the opening 20 minutes.
After struggling early on, though, Poland improved and started to gain more control.
The hosts were rewarded just before half-time, when Pawollek headed home a cross from the influential Tomasiak.
Ireland will be mindful that they have let a lead slip already in this campaign, having led France 1-0 from the 12th to the 71st minute.
Carla Ward’s side will have hopefully learned from that disappointment and can consolidate their advantage this evening with a strong second-half performance.
Here’s a look at the goal that’s got Poland back in the game…
The second half has begun…
48 mins: Ireland start the second half on the front foot.
Szemik parries away McCabe’s corner.
49 mins: Mannion makes a good tackle on the edge of the area to stop Padilla-Bidas in her tracks.
Poland are looking more threatening now after an early spell of Irish pressure.
55 mins: Padilla-Bidas breaks down the left, but Brosnan easily gathers her cross.
Down the other end, O’Sullivan’s cross is deflected out for a corner.
57 mins: Mannion crosses low for Murphy, but it falls awkwardly for the striker, and her attempt goes wide.
This game is becoming very open and stretched.
POLAND 1-3 IRELAND (SHEVA 59)
That’s surely game, set and match for Ireland.
On the edge of the area, Murphy cuts it back for Sheva, who fires the ball into the corner of the net to restore Ireland’s two-goal advantage.
Here’s a look at Ireland’s third goal…
66 mins: Poland make a couple of changes.
Padilla-Bidas and Pawollek go off.
Grzybowska and Sarapata come on.
Still no sign of any Irish subs.
69 mins: More changes.
For Ireland, Barrett is on for Larkin.
And for Poland, Zieniewicz replaces Wiankowska.
74 mins: McCabe’s lofted free kick is headed clear.
It’s hard to see Poland coming back — they look like a beaten team.
POLAND 2-3 IRELAND (PAJOR 78)
Out of nothing, Poland are back in the game.
Pajor has had a quiet game until now, but she has just scored her 71st international goal spectacularly.
The striker latches on to Kamczyk’s through pass before cleverly lobbing Brosnan.
PENALTY TO IRELAND!
Murphy is not in a threatening position on the edge of the area, but a rash challenge from Dudek brings her down.
PENALTY MISSED!
McCabe blazed it over the bar.
You get the sense that if Ireland don’t emerge with three points, they will be full of regret.
The visitors have looked comfortable for large portions of this second half, but it looks set to be a nervy climax.
Here’s a look at the second Poland goal…
86 mins: More subs.
For Ireland, Ziu replaces Sheva.
For Poland, Tomasiak and Achcinska go off, Jedlińska and Kokosz come on.
89 mins: Good chasing by Barrett forces the Polish defender to kick the ball out of play.
RTÉ have named Emily Murphy as the Player of the Match.
There will be five minutes of stoppage time…
90 mins: Kokosz tries her luck from the edge of the area, but the attempt is a few inches off target.
Moments later, Murphy does well to intercept a Polish attack.
93 mins: Hayes commits a foul.
Poland have a free kick about 30 yards out.
Dudek gets on the end of the delivery, but Brosnan makes the save.
It was correctly adjudged offside anyway.
Here’s a look at the McCabe penalty…
FULL-TIME: POLAND 2-3 IRELAND
So that’s that.
A first win of the campaign for Ireland.
It moves them ahead of Poland in the table and off the bottom.
They are only a point behind Netherlands now, although the Dutch host group leaders France in a game that kicks off at 7.45pm tonight.
Ireland deserved the victory.
They will feel it was probably more nervous in the end than it should have been.
The visitors looked comfortable for most of the second half, but Pajor’s late goal out of nothing, coupled with McCabe’s penalty miss, ensured an uncomfortable finish.
It leaves the Girls in Green in a strong position for a third-place finish at the very least in the group.
Carla Ward’s side will now fancy themselves to do the double over the Polish when the sides meet again at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have plenty more reaction to follow on the site shortly.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Liveblog Minute-by-Minute Ireland Republic Poland