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:
Northern Ireland 0-0 England, 15 mins
White is forced to pass the ball back to Bronze and she is dispossesed by more impressive defence from the hosts. England haven’t been converted their chances so far but that is also thanks to some class work from the defenders.
They are now on the counter in their best chance of the half with Wade but England manage to get the ball back. Every time the women in green get the ball the crowd go crazy, such great home support they have!
Bright puts in a great cross which bounces over Magee’s head to Hemp, they’ve been pushed back to the midfield though and it ends back with Bright. If England are going to score tonight they’ll have to work hard.
Toone takes a shot from outside the box, frustration obvious from the visitors, and it bends away from goal.
Northern Ireland 0-0 England, 10 mins
Hemp is continuing with her great work upfront with some fantastic runs but the final touch hasn’t come yet with no shots at goal so far.
Nelson deals with a dangerous ball being threatened around the box but does concede a throw-in. Carter throws but Northern Ireland swarm the ball, their early defence is so impressive.
Bright has free range of the midfield with Stanway getting the pass and making a cracking cross. But White can’t quite get her head to it, will it be another one of those matches for the Manchester City player? She’s had a few games of missed opportunities lately, despite reaching 50 goals.
McFadden has a nervous moment at the back with a risky ball from Burns but she remains composed and hacks the ball away.
Mead has such a close shot but McFadden clears off the line! Wow what a save from the defender.
Northern Ireland 0-0 England, 5 mins
Beth Mead won an early corner in a scrappy early few spells. Hemp is the set=piece taker and she takes it short but Northern Ireland deal with it well.
The hosts try to counter but they kick it out on the full but Carter is dispossesed in the midfield, England do wrestle the ball back.
A blunder at the back by goalkeeper Burns almost sees White capitalise but the shot stopper eventually gets it under control. That was a close one! England again building from the midfield but no meaningful attack has been patched together by the Lionesses so far.
Kick-off: Northern Ireland 0-0 England
Here we go!
Can Wiegman keep England’s great winning run in place?
Northern Ireland vs England
The anthem, as the teams share the same, has taken place in front of a record crowd!
Will Northern Ireland be able to produce a shock result here? Or will England predictably win again? Kick-off coming in a few minutes...
Northern Ireland vs England
The teams will shortly be out on the pitch with the anthems ensuing, who’s absolutely buzzing for this one?
Northern Ireland vs England
England manager Sarina Wiegman told the BBC: “I think she can play centre back and in the midfield. Tonight we make the starting line=up with the best team.
“We want to play well and win the game. Dominate the game as much as possible. Don’t concede any goals...
“I think we know each other pretty well. Tonight is another opportunity for them and us to get to know each other even better.”
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels added: “I’m pleased with the performance out in Austria and if we can match that it will be progress. It will be consistency...
“It’s [the record crowd] a measure of the progress thatt he womne’s team have done. The participation that will come out of that down the years, it’s having a positive affect on that.”
Northern Ireland vs England
We have less than 30 minutes until kick-off in this World Cup qualifier and it will act as a builder to the Euros.
The two teams will face each other in the group stage this summer and so it will be a good tester. It will also be used in the build-up to the tournament in July.
Who do you have as the winner? England are the favourites but will the home advantage aid Norther Ireland? We will soon find out...
Northern Ireland vs England
Are any fans asking where is Fran Kirby? Well the Chelsea forward isn’t involved in this international break as her club are resting the star.
It shows the team’s strength in depth that they can field such a strong side without one of their key players.
Kirby should be back for the summer build-up to the Euros after the end of the season with Chelsea. The Blues are in a tight WSL title race with Arsenal and they have the FA Cup to contend with.
Northern vs England
Sarina Wiegman is looking to build a squad that can collaborate well with each other ahead of this summer’s Euros.
Wiegmen hasn’t lost a match, winning all but one draw, since taking the reins at England and she is looking to nuture the team to be unpredictable.
“What I want to see is a team, a team that people can tell we collaborate really well in and out of possession and really want to work hard for each other, but also that we show an unpredictable attacking game,” she said.
“Sometimes like last week’s match against North Macedonia you know that you’re playing on their half of the pitch all the time, but we will have games too where we have to defend a little more. That’s what we have to do as a team as well as possible, and still create chances.
“Hopefully people will see an energetic and unpredictable team with lots of team work shown.”
Read the full story:
England Lionesses targeting continuity and energy ahead of Euros, says Sarina Wiegman
The Lionesses are preparing for a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments