Northern Ireland vs England LIVE: Women’s World Cup qualifying result, final score, reaction as Lionesses win
Follow live updates as the Lionessess aim to move a step away from qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup at a sold-out Windsor Park
Follow live updates as England take on Northern Ireland at a sold-out Windsor Park, with Sarina Wiegman’s side looking to close out their World Cup qualifying campaign by maintaining their 100 per cent record.
The Lionesses are five points clear of Austria in Group D and their 10-0 vicotry over North Macedonia on Friday night was their seventh win from as many fixtures. Wiegman’s side have scored 63 times in their campaign so far and have yet to concede a goal - and striker Ellen White is now just four goals of Wayne Rooney’s England record .
England beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in October at Wembley, with Beth Mead scoring a late hat-trick, but the hosts will be desperate to pick points to boost their chances of beating Austria to a play-off place.
Kenny Shiels’ side have also been drawn in England’s group for the European Championship this summer so tonight’s fixture will be important to both teams in their preparations. A crowd of 16,000 at Windsor Park will be a record for a women’s match in Northern Ireland. Follow live updates from Northern Ireland vs England below:
Half-time: Northern Ireland 0-1 England
Just so you can see just how strange that goal was from Hemp. The Manchester City star even looked surprised her touch hit the back of the net!
Goalkeeper Burns had no chance when even the crowd didn’t know if it was a goal!
There should be more goals to come in the second half, there has been several chances so far. If Northern Ireland’s stellar defence starts to tire, the Lionesses could punish them.
Half-time: Northern Ireland 0-1 England
England are ahead thanks to that strange Lauren Hemp goal and the team have had a lot of chances at goal, especially through Ellen White.
But Northern Ireland have done exceptionally well to keep the goals down with McFadden and Magee particularly skilled at the back.
There needs to be more clinicism from England but Northern Ireland are playing well so far!
Northern Ireland 0-1 England, 45 + 1 mins
Burns has remained on the pitch but she does look uncomfortable. The hosts are having a good spell of possession, moving the ball well around the box but Bright closes down the chance.
There are three minutes added to this half as White tries to get a header on target but it goes just wide.
Northern Ireland 0-1 England, 43 mins
Another corner for England as Burrows hits the ball out with Hemp taking the kick, another long shot is sent into the box. It sails over everyone’s heads and it ends in a goal kick.
Nelson takes a free kick earned by the hosts but Bright deals with it well. England look to launch an attack from their own half but Callaghan wrestles possession.
That was so close! Bronze puts in a great cross, the defender showing what she can do upfront as well at the back, but Hemp’s header goes over the bar.
Burns looks in a bit of pain, the keeper has been great so far and she was unlucky to concede that goal. There’s a break in play as she receives some attention, let’s hope she stays on.
Northern Ireland 0-1 England, 38 mins
There needs to be a mention for Northern Ireland’s defence, especially through McFadden. She has not only cleared a shot from Hemp off the line but she has been disrupting the ball across the pitch.
England are still threatening the hosts with Carter throwing the ball in. There’s patient build-up and Hemp wins a corner after Magee repels a cross.
Stanway takes the kick and she takes it short, the second corner played that way - a tactic they think is useful against Northern Ireland? We’ll see if they do it again as England win another corner with Hemp the taker. This time it’s sent long but Furness heads away.
Burns does well as a long cross in almost finds White, she punches away but the offside flag is raised anyway. McFadden sends a cracking cross upfield and captain Williamson does well to control the ball to Earps.
Northern Ireland 0-1 England, 33 mins
Magill does very well to get away from Bronze and she gets the ball away to Wade but she is judged offside. Frustrating for Northern Ireland as that could have built into something promising.
How, oh how has White not scored there? She’s passed the ball and she doesn’t take a one touch finish. Eventually the flag goes up anyway but those shots need to be put away, another by Toone earlier in the match also should have been slotted.
The Lionesses attemptin gto build again but a pass between Bronze and Mead is well defended by Callaghan.
Northern Ireland 0-1 England, 28 mins
Goalkeeper Burns had a bad clearance and England built a good play. Toone crossed it into the box and a light but pointed touch from Hemp confused Burns and it slotted in.
England are looking to double their lead but Nelson haven’t allowed the opening goal to rattle them. They have dispelled another attempt and Wade is now receiving medical attention so there is a break in play.
GOAL! Northern Ireland 0-1 England (Hemp, 25)
Wow that has come out of nowhere! Hemp scuffs it and it hits the top right corner. Even the crowd were unsure if that was a goal but it is!
Northern Ireland 0-0 England, 25 mins
Bright has a shot but it hits a defender, she has another go but it’s saved.
White then gets a hit and she looks to have scored but she’s offside. The Manchester City star needs to stop getting herself in that position. She was offside in the last match too, her clinical precision of her positioning is needed.
England look to build again and they need to pay off soon but Toone’s shot is just too easy for Burns to catch. Northern Ireland need all the credit for these opening minutes, they have frustrated England to no end.
Northern Ireland 0-0 England, 20 mins
We remain camped in Northern Ireland half but England are yet to puncture the defence.
White is passed the ball in the box but Magee wrestles the ball away from the striker who looks hungry for goals tonight. No surprise as she is on the hunt for England all-time goal scoring record.
Bronze runs into the box to pounce on the ball but her teammates are slow to read the play and no one can capitalise on the wide shot.
The hosts look to counter but Magill has too much on a pass and Earps collects easily. Cracking match so far!
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