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 vs England
England’s winning run sees them at the top of Group D and sure to bag qualification for the World Cup. But it’s a different story for Northern Ireland who are sitting in third.
The Green and White Army retain a miniscule chance of overhauling the Lionesses at the top of Group D but are just three points behind second-placed Austria in the battle for a play-off spot with three games to go.
However, with minnows Luxembourg, Latvia and North Macedonia providing little competition for the top three, Shiels has thrown in the towel regarding making it to the finals in Australia and New Zealand following Friday’s 3-1 loss away to the Austrians.
“This is not a must-win game because qualification is out of the equation,” said Kenny Shiels. “If we won by five goals, that would be different. But we’re being realistic and we’re not expecting that to happen.
“If we were to beat England, it would be an unbelievable achievement in itself, in isolation to the group.”
Read the full story:
Kenny Shiels: World Cup qualification ‘out of the equation’ for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland suffered a damaging 3-1 loss in Austria on Friday
Northern Ireland vs England
Leah Williamson captains the side tonight for the first time since she was confirmed as the skipper for the Euros this summer.
She is taking over duties from Manchester City star Steph Houghton as the defender is injured. The Arsenal star has been skippering for Sarina Wiegman since she took over as England manager. Wiegman said she wanted the team to have some continuity ahead of the tournament and so Williamson takes the reins.
She didn’t skipper on Friday as she couldn’t play due to concussion protocols but she is named in the team this evening.
Williamson said of last week’s 10-0 performance: “I thought the girls were great, very professional. We had a job to do, we wanted to create loads of chances and prove to be a clinical team and I think the girls did that.
“It’s never nice to sit out a football match but, when you watch a team play like that, it’s fairly easy.”
Full story:
Leah Williamson says leading England out will be ‘biggest honour in football’
Williamson has taken over the armband from Steph Houghton, who is recovering from Achilles surgery
Northern Ireland vs England
Many fans and pundits may have England as the favourites for the match this evening but Northern Ireland are going to throw all they have at the Lionesses.
Northern Ireland have the home advantage and are thought to be setting a record attendance for a women’s football game in the country. So they also have a wealth of fans to cheer them on.
It will be a tall order to overcome England who have so far scored 63 goals in the qualifying campaign and are yet to concede.
But Northern Ireland’s manager Kenny Shiels is raring for the match, saying: “England have strolled through the group to date, scoring for fun. But I am confident we can give them a game tonight, roared on by a full house at the National Stadium.”
Northern Ireland vs England
The confirmation that Ellen White is playing means the forward has the potential to equal or break Wayne Rooney’s all-time England goal scoring record.
She scored once in the Lionesses 10-0 drubbing of North Macedonia on Friday which took her past Harry Kane and Sir Bobby Charlton.
White has 50 goals for England so she needs a hat-trick to equal Rooney’s 53 or four to beat it. If she doesn’t manage to get there in tonight’s game, the Lionesses have three friendlies ahead of this summer’s Euros.
The Manchester City star told ITV after the North Macedonia match: “I think it’s pleasing to score. The overall performance, the standard is remaining really high. We wanted those three points.
“It’s a massive privilege [to be among Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney]. It’s a dream for me to play for England. For me it’s any way I can contribute to the team... It’s an incredible feeling to be among those amazing players.”
Northern Ireland vs England
Both teams have announced their starting XI’s for this clash.
England have reverted to some of what manager Sarina Wiegman may believe is their strongest side, particularly in their goalkeeper choice. Wiegman has repeatedly said Mary Earps is their first choice and the Manchester United star is playing this evening.
Lionesses: Earps, Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Carter, Stanway, Walsh, Toone, Mead, White, Hemp.
Meanwhile Northern Ireland have named a strong team with star ford Rachel Furness lining up.
Northern Ireland: Burns, Magee, Nelson, McFadden, Vance, Burrows, Callaghan, Furness, Andrews, Magill, Wade.
Northern Ireland vs England
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of England vs Northern Ireland, as Sarina Wiegman’s side look to close out their World Cup qualifying campaign by maintaining their 100 per cent record at a sold-out Windsor Park. 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.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments