Republic of Ireland beat Finland 1-0 in front of their record crowd of 6,952 to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Play-Offs for the first time.
Katie McCabe had to block a goal-bound shot early on at Tallaght Stadium and later in the half, Courtney Brosnan saved a double deflection.
Tinja Riikka Korpela saved from both Denise O’Sullivan and Heather Payne, Diane Caldwell headed against the bar but after the ball had been deemed to have gone out of play.
Early in the second half, Megan Connolly’s free kick saw Lily Agg beat Korpela to the ball and head into the far corner of the net
Ireland 1-0 Finland – The breakthrough comes for Ireland as Finland fall asleep while defending a free-kick and Lily Agg has a free header to put her side in front.
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Elsewhere in Group A, Slovakia won 4-0 away to Georgia ahead of hosting Ireland next Tuesday.
Scotland are the only other side confirmed as in the play-offs so far, with seven more to be decided before the draw at 12.30pm UK time on Friday 9 September.
Meanwhile in England’s group, North Macedonia edged Latvia 3-2 in a bottom-of-the-table battle.
A Karen Holmgaard goal and Pernille Harder penalty set Denmark on the way to a 5-1 win over Montenegro, finishing their Group E games with a 100% record.
Poland won 2-1 in Albania despite a stoppage-time dismissal to keep up their slim play-off hopes. Kosovo defeated Armenia 2-1 in the other Group F fixture.
Katerina Svitkova was one of six scorers for the Czech Republic in their 6-0 Group C victory in Cyprus, Israel beat Group H basement side Bulgaria 2-0.
