Northern Ireland Women were 1-0 winners over Italy in a friendly international played at a packed Seaview in Belfast.
Centre back Sarah McFadden, winning her 95th cap, scored the only goal of the game against the Italians, who are ranked 14th in the world compared to Northern Ireland in 49th.
Marissa Callaghan forced Italian keeper Laura Giuliani into a save at her near post, Joely Andrews’ drive from an angle was palmed away for a corner.
Kenny Shiels’ side took the lead on 62 minutes from that resulting corner. A Demi Vance delivery found Emily Wilson and her close range effort was pushed out by the keeper but McFadden was on hand to sweep the ball home from three yards.
Jackie Burns pulled off a sensational save in the 76th minute to keep Northern Ireland in front. She dived at full stretch to push away a point-blank header from Arianna Caruso.
Five minutes later, Kirsty McGuinness played in Caitlin McGuinness to slip the ball past the advancing keeper but could not apply the finishing touch from a couple of yards out, as an Italian defender raced back to snuff out the danger.
Italy piled on the pressure in the closing stages and Burns had to punch the ball clear on a couple of occasions, while the Northern Ireland defence stood firm.
