Wales secured the biggest victory in their history by beating the Republic of Ireland on home soil to qualify for their first ever major tournament. Scotland failed to make the Euros for the second time in a row with Finland instead making it back-to-back tournaments.
Wales Vs Rep.Ireland
In the Welsh capital, the two evenly matched sides settled for a draw in an action packed first leg fixture. In an attendance record breaking match, almost 17,000 fans turned up, braving the cold Cardiff City Stadium for the occasion. Both teams delivered a spectacular game for the plentiful spectators, filled with drama.
Lily Woodham’s opener was enough to raise Wales’ hopes of qualification. Ruesha Littlejohn hit the crossbar from just over the halfway line, the ball then striking the unforunate goalkeeper, Olivia Clark, on the head and into the back of the Welsh net. A cruel way for the hosts to concede but Ireland’s dominantion made an equaliser almost ineveitable.
The second leg held in Dublin provided another unforgettable match. Another record breaking attended fixture, almost 26,000 spectators packed the Aviva Stadium.
In the first half, the home side looked most likely to strike first. Denise O’Sulivan’s long range shot outside the box struck the top right of the crossbar. Just wide of a wonder strike for the girls in green.
Early into the second half, after a long and indecisive VAR call from referee Marta Huerta de Aza, Wales were awarded a penalty for Anna Patten’s handball in the box. Hannah Cain converted from the spot and the nerves increased for Ireland. An injury struck, Jess Fishlock , was substituted off after 65 minutes. This was the worst case scenario for their star striker. However, substitute Carrie Jones, doubled the lead moments after stepping foot onto the pitch. The Welsh fans had one eye on flights to Switzerland next year. But, in the 86th minute, a scrappy header from Aston Villa’s Patten seemed to raise the spirits of 25,000 Irish fans. With 8 minutes of injury time to go, an equaliser wasn’t impossible.
The hosts pushed hard but after years of heartbreak and misfortune, Wilkinson’s wonderful Welsh women made history and qualified for their first ever major tournament. The celebrations in the away end, was one they will remember for a while. The players were keen to make it known, their sights are firmly set for Switzerland next summer.
Ireland were devastated to miss out on the tournament, with recent success qualifying for their first ever world cup in 2022. Captain and Arsenal star, Katie McCabe, dropping to the floor in tears after the full time whistle. Ireland still have never qualified for European finals.
Scotland Vs Finland
After a bleak and goalless first leg at Easter Road, the pressure on Scotland was mounting to face Finland away. Pedro Martinez-Losas’ side have failed to qualify for any major tournament in 6 years. With a multitude of world-class players and an impressive unbeaten record in Euro qualification, Scotland were heavy favourites going into this final fixture.
Previously, in the first round of the play off finals, Scotland were clinical and ruthless. Beating the young and developing Hungary 6-0 to progress to the final of the play-offs. However this same Scotland seemed not to make an appearance in the Bolt Arena on the night.
Less than 120 seconds after the referee’s first whistle, Lehtola had a convincing attempt on goal just striking off the crossbar. Finland started off fast and the away side didn’t seem as confident. Eight minutes in and the deadlock was broken, a stunning strike from the centre back, Natalia Kuikka, chipped over Eartha Cummings and into Scotland’s net. Despite a promising attempt from Erin Cuthbert in the 25th minute, the opposition punished them for a catastrophic defensive error. Nea Lehtola doubled Finland’s lead and the fixture was put to bed just 30 minutes in. There was a claim for a penalty when Erin Cuthbert flicked the ball and it hit off a Finland defender’s arm. This wasn’t enough for the referee to blow. Finland qualified for their second European Finals in a row.
The question many Scots are asking: “Is Pedro Martienz-Losa the manager for the job?”. An uninspiring style of football and questionable team selections from a strong pool of talent. Failing to qualify for two Euros and a World cup, is it time to look for a new face to drive the Scots girls onward?
