The Republic of Ireland are in the playoffs for the 2023 World Cup thanks to a Lily Agg headed goal in the 54th minute of the qualification game against Finland in Dublin on Thursday evening.
Finland, who were in third place in the group before the game and a single point behind the Irish, dominated first-half possession at a sold-out Tallaght Stadium. But the Irish pulled out a famous victory, meaning they don’t need a win or draw against group leaders Slovakia away next Tuesday.
For the first time, Ireland’s women have gotten past the group stage and now have a real chance to participate in the World Cup finals. However, a complicated playoff system means the Irish could play as few as one and as many as four games before making the tournament. RTE explains the system here
Under the points system, their performance in the last group game on Tuesday in Slovakia can help the Irish, and so manager Vera Pauw told her young stars that they could celebrate at Tallaght Stadium, but that there would be no party back at the team hotel last night.
Arsenal star Katie McCabe said. "I ran over and gave my ma a big hug.
"I was so happy to see my family there and them cheering us on. I used to roam about the Square [in Tallaght] when I was younger so to get to a World Cup play-off just a stone's throw away from my house is pretty special.
"It was just a relief. I've been working so hard for this since I came in six years ago,” she told RTE.
"There are people who have been here 12 years longer than me. It’s such a moment even for past players that were watching us in the crowd. It is another step, but we will enjoy the moment because we have never done it before."
