Republic of Ireland lost their opening FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying group game after an own-goal against Sweden.
Group A: Georgia 0-3 Finland, Republic of Ireland 0-1 Sweden
Sweden made it three wins from as many games but only with an own-goal in front of a crowd of 4,017 in Dublin. Irish keeper Courtney Brosnan made several big saves but was beaten when a pass by Stena Blackstenius was deflected in off Louise Quinn. Katie McCabe went close to an equaliser from distance, as the hosts battled hard to try to force a draw.
Finland have won both their matches after the 3-0 success in Georgia, Tottenham’s Tinja-Riikka Korpela celebrating her 100th cap with a clean sheet.
Group B: Ukraine 4-0 Faroe Islands
Group D: Latvia 1-4 North Macedonia
Group E: Denmark 8-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro 2-0 Azerbaijan, Russia 3-0 Malta
Signe Bruun scored five times as Denmark thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina for a third straight win, Russia are also on nine points following their defeat of Malta.
Group F: Albania 5-0 Armenia, Belgium 7-0 Kosovo, Poland 0-0 Norway
Belgium sank Kosovo 7-0 aided by a Tessa Wullaert treble to go level on points with Norway, who drew 0-0 away to Poland.
Group H: Israel 0-1 Germany, Portugal 2-1 Serbia, Turkey 1-0 Bulgaria
Germany had a narrow victory in Israel through Svenja Huth’s 18th-minute effort, Portugal, kept in touch by pipping Serbia with a Dolores Silva penalty, Turkey edged Bulgaria with a 76th-minute decider.
Meanwhile among the international friendly fixtures, the USA’s 22-match winning run at home ended when South Korea held them to a goalless draw, in a game that saw Lindsey Horan reach her 100th cap.
