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Abbie Larkin battling for possession. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

As it happened: Türkiye v Republic of Ireland, Nations League

Catch up on all the action as Carla Ward’s side looked for a crucial win in Istanbul to continue their quest for promotion.

Good evening and welcome along to our coverage of this crucial Nations League game for Carla Ward’s Republic of Ireland.

Ireland are in Istanbul this evening for their penultimate group game against Türkiye , where they need a victory if they are to stay in the race for automatic promotion to League A.

We’ll have team line-ups for you in the next few moments as we close in on the 6pm kick-off.

IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Jessie Stapleton, Anna Patten, Katie McCabe; Megan Connolly, Denise O’Sullivan, Marissa Sheva; Abbie Larkin, Amber Barrett, Lucy Quinn

TURKEY: Selda Akgoz (capt); Busem Seker, Gulbin Hiz, Sejde Abrahamson, Ilayda Civelek; Ebru Topcu, Meryem Cal; Ece Turkoglu, Miray Cin, Melike Pekel; Kader Hancar

Katie McCabe starts this evening after linking up with the Ireland squad on the back of her Champions League win with Arsenal.

Ireland boss Carla Ward has made three changes as Megan Connolly and Abbie Larkin also come into the XI, with new call-up Erin Healy named among the substitutes. Amber Barrett retains the centre-forward spot ahead of the returning Kyra Carusa.

Ireland’s Group B2 campaign finishes as it started with fixtures against Türkiye and Slovenia. After this evening’s trip to Istanbul, attention them switches to Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday where we could looking at a potential shooutout.

Check out Emma Duffy’s preview to find out more about what’s at stake for Ireland.

The teams are out on the pitch now. Kick-off is just a few minutes away.

Kick-Off! Türkiye v Republic of Ireland

1 min: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

The hosts get us underway as Abbie Larkin and Aoife Mannion easily deal with a first Türkiye attack.

2 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Katie McCabe seems to be playing a higher position this evening as she takes a throw-in. The ball comes to Denise O’Sullivan on the opposite wing but she’s closed off and Ireland have to retreat now to deal with a counter attack.

Anna Patten gets an important block in.

5 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Megan Connolly picks up loose ball and feeds Larkin. A clever passage of passing follows as Lucy Quinn gets the ball out wide. 

Denise O’Sullivan takes the ball further and goes down as she tries to slip past. Referee is happy with the challenge though. Encouraging start for Ireland.

8 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

O’Sullivan in with a good tackle to win the ball back for Ireland. Jessie Stapleton tries to link up with McCabe but a boot comes out to block the pass.

Ireland win the ball back and sees McCabe take another throw in Türkiye territory. She looks for Amber Barrett and Ireland get a corner. 

Megan Connolly takes but it’s headed away at the post. Ireland are pushed back but they still have possession. 

9 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Brilliant from Larkin to turn the ball over out on the right. She cuts the ball across the box but nothing comes from it.

Türkiye take a throw-in and Ireland press to win the ball back but the move ends in a  Türkiye kickout. 

11 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Ireland chance there. Some lovely one-touch passes find Marissa Sheva in the corner. She looks for an unmarked McCabe at the edge of the box but the pass is poor.

13 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

A Türkiye free is cleared away by Stapleton. Sheva tries to help the ball on again but  Türkiye get the ball back and their first meaningful attack is easily claimed by Courtney Brosnan.

15 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Good defensive work from Mannion to deal with a dangerous attack. A risky pass to Stapleton is cut out and Türkiye pounce. They get a throw-in from a dangerous position but the attempted cross sails harmlessly over the Ireland goal.

Lucky escape for Ireland. That misplaced pass could have been costly.

18 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Good pressing from Ireland as Türkiye try to work the ball around. But they eventually work the ball forward. 

A good delivery into the Ireland box tries to find Kader Hancar who has been lively since kick-off. But she is penalised for a push in the back and Ireland can breathe again.

O’Sullivan wins a free at the other end and Ireland could work something from this.

19 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

There’s a bit of pushing and shoving delaying things but McCabe eventually takes it and floats it in invitingly. Stapleton gets on the end of it but she can’t get enough power in her header.

22 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Another Ireland free tries to find Stapleton. Connolly is the taker this time but it’s the same result as Stapleton’s header lacks the power to trouble the hosts.

Ireland attack again as Larkin sends in a cross which is headed away and the rebound effort does little to trouble Türkiye keeper Selda Akgoz.

25 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

O’Sullivan gives away a free kick after some good hassling. But a stray hand catches the jersey and a long delivery is dealt with.

Larkin, O’Sullivan and Mannion work the ball to try and find a pocket to break through. But that final passes is eluding Ireland at the moment and there is perhaps a bit too much urgency in their play.

27 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

A ball in over the top puts Barrett into space, but just as she turns to head for goal, the flag goes up. Barrett salutes the quality of the ball in. Good play from Ireland.

30 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

NERVY MOMENT!

Ireland were living on the edge there. Hancar and Miray Cin were instrumental as the ball fizzed across the Ireland penalty area. Hancar went down at the crucial moment and looked to the referee appealing for a penalty. It looks like Stapleton may have gotten a touch on her but the referee isn’t interested in the penalty appeals. 

Big let off for Ireland there. They’re enjoying plenty of possession but need to be more mindful of Türkiye’s ability to break through.

32 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

SAVE!!

Much better from Ireland as Lucy Quinn cuts inside, creates a bit of space and unleashes a bullet from outside the box. Selda Akgoz jumps up to palm the ball over the bar.

McCabe takes the corner which fails to threaten but Ireland still have the ball as McCabe throws the ball back in.

35 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Referee calls for a water break as the Muslim call to prayer rings out in the stadium.

38 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Another lively Ireland attack. Sheva gets the ball in space but her pass is half blocked away. That takes a bit of the sting out of their move but Ireland win the ball back and Mannion tries to slip the ball through to Barrett only to see it roll all the way to the keeper.

38 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

More brilliant attacking work from O’Sullivan as she is hauled down out on the wing. McCabe swings it in again looking for Stapleton at the back. She gets her head on it but nothing comes from it.

40 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

ANOTHER NERVY MOMENT!

Ireland almost get caught out again on the counter. They’re completely caught out as gets the ball completely unmarked. 

She slips the ball back and as Ireland get bodies back. Ebru Topcu takes a poke at the ball but it’s deflected out.

44 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

MCCABE CHANCES!

Two McCabe efforts in almost as many minutes. The first a mighty thump as she tries to curl a powerful shot into the net. Akgoz gets a hand to it in time.

The second at the end of a corner which finds McCabe at the back post. Again she tries to smash the ball home but again she is denied.

A thrilling few minutes as both sides come close to breaking the deadlock.

45 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

ANOTHER IRELAND CHANCE!

Ireland are so close but it’s just not happening. Barrett gets through this time but her first touch has too much sauce on it as she spreads herself too far wide in the box. She narrows the angle for herself and her snapped effort is blocked out for a corner.

One minute of added time announced.

Half-Time! Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Some really risky moments there for Ireland in the first half. A lot of brilliant work in possession but they seem to switch off and allow Türkiye too easily on the counter.

Some good creativity as well and they could be very well be leading but they need to take their chances in the second half if they are to get the victory.

Second Half: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

45 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

Ireland change: Caitlin Hayes replaces Aoife Mannion.

GOAL! Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland [Kader Hancar '48]

50 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Terrible start to the second half but we have to admit that that was coming. Ireland have been struggling to deal with counter attacks all evening and that’s how they find themselves 1-0 down. 

Hancar was lively throughout the first half and she picked her spot brilliantly with that effort. Ireland are really on the back foot now.

55 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Ireland committed too many players forward and tried to press the Turks in their own box. But the hosts worked the ball up the field and Hancar got involved in a one-two with Ilayda Civelek before adding the vital touch to slip the ball past Brosnan.

Hancar almost doubles their lead moments later but her close range effort is somehow kept out. O’Sullivan then tries to find an equaliser at the other end but her shot drifts harmlessly wide.

58 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Group leaders Slovenia have beaten Greece 2-0 ahead of their trip to Cork.

62 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Ireland changes: Emily Murphy, Kyra Carusa and Saoirse Noonan all come in as Sheva, Barrett and Larkin all replaced.

Carusa makes an early impression as she gets on a Patten cross but there’s just not enough on her header to cause a stir.

65 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

A tangle of bodies sets up a Türkiye attack, but McCabe manages to get back and snuff out the danger.

McCabe then comes up to take a throw and finds Carusa. She tries to get round her defender but there’s no way through as McCabe gets back on the ball again. She clips the ball across but the vital touch doesn’t arrive.

68 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Hayes puts the ball out wide to Murphy. Carusa then wins a corner and McCabe takes it short. A ball to the back post is met by the head of Hayes but it goes skyward.

71 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Stapleton boots the ball clear. It comes back down to Brosnan as Carusa is dispossessed during another Ireland attack.

Some frustration seeping in now as Megan Connolly is penalised for a push.

72 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Hancar steals the ball and takes it out wide. Her attempt to square the ball back is cut out by Stapleton and Ireland can counter now.

72 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

More good work from O’Sullivan to turn the ball over. Ireland find Murphy out wide who  does well to cut inside before crossing the ball which goes out for a corner.

Ireland change: Megan Campbell comes in for Lucy Quinn.

76 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

IRELAND CHANCE!

McCabe goes short again with a corner before whipping in the shot. The ball clatters off Patten in front of the goal line. She wasn’t expecting the ball and fails to react in time to get another touch on it.

77 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

The first of Megan Campbell’s long throws tries to create something. But the door remains closed. McCabe then wins a corner as she attempted to loft the ball into the area.

78 mins: Türkiye 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Connolly curls it in but it bounces back into play. Connolly gets another bite at it but her effort is saved.

Heading into the final 10 minutes. Ireland running out of time.

GOAL! Türkiye 1-1 Republic of Ireland (Busem Seker own goal)

83 mins: Türkiye 0-0 Republic of Ireland

The spark they needed!

Ireland finally have their goal and although it’s an own goal, it doesn’t matter. They can now go on and press for the winner. 

Campbell’s long throw caused chaos in the Türkiye penalty area as the ball went in off Busem Seker.

Saoirse Noonan comes close to snatching the lead with a header at the back post, but it bounces out over the endline after a brilliant delivery from McCabe.

85 mins: Türkiye 1-1 Republic of Ireland

Can Ireland nab the winner in the last five minutes?

GOAL! Türkiye 1-2 Republic of Ireland [Emily Murphy '89]

91 mins: Türkiye 1-2 Republic of Ireland 

Unbelievable!

Emily Murphy with a beautiful shot first time to give Akgoz no chance. There’s six minutes of added time but if Ireland can hang on, it will be a big green tick.

It was an incredible passage of play after Ireland almost conceded after some carless play in defence but they earned the maximum profit from the next attack. Now they just have to hold on.

95 mins: Türkiye 1-2 Republic of Ireland

Türkiye come very close twice. The first shot is blocked by Stapleton and the second thankfully sails wide past the outstretched arms of Brosnan.

Added time is almost up.

Full-Time! Türkiye 1-2 Republic of Ireland

Türkiye 1-2 Republic of Ireland 

What a huge relief for Ireland. But they’ve done what they needed to do to get the result and keep their quest for automatic promotion to League A.

They were very sloppy at times and left themselves with so much to do after conceding an early goal in the second half to Kader Hancar but an own goal in the final 10 minutes gave them a lifeline. And then Emily Murphy stepped up to provide the winner.

That result sets them up for the visit of Slovenia to Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Tuesday evening.

Türkiye 1-2 Republic of Ireland 

Well, that’s all from us folks. Before you go, have a look at Emma Duffy’s match report and we look forward to having you with us again soon.

Bye for now!

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