The Irish women’s team qualified for the 2024 World Cup after defeating Scotland 1-0.
Ireland has qualified for the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup, their first ever, in a historic win over Scotland in a very dramatic game held at Hampden Park, Glasgow.
A goal by substitute Amber Barett was the deciding factor in the win. In celebration, she kissed a black armband that she was wearing to show respect to those who died in an explosion at a petrol pump in Creeslough, Donegal county.
The 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup is to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, respectively and is to include 32 teams, showing an increase of 8 teams from the previous world cup hosted by France.
Ireland will be one of the five debutants, the others being Morocco, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Zambia.
As they have never reached the finals, this will be a fitting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Women’s FA in the coming year.
The team has drastically improved after the appointment of Coach Vera Pauw in 2019. They finished second behind Sweden in their group, which was sufficient to get a spot in the final play-offs.
Although Scotland was powerful in the first half in both possession and attack, the tides turned when Barett scored the only goal in the second half. They also had the chance to tie the game with a penalty opportunity, but they missed the cash-in.
This gave a psychological boost to the Irish side playing on Scottish territory. Although there were chances for both teams in the second half, the home side was in a bit of confusion and panic.
In the 65th minute of the match, Heather Payne was substituted for Amber Barett, who was able to score a goal in a brilliant manner when Scotland gave the ball away to Denise O’Sullivan, who assisted Barett.
Scotland tried their best with high crosses during the final minutes of the game, but could not get the ball past Courtney Brosnan, the Irish goalie.
The referee blew the final whistle in the 96th minute, cementing a place for Ireland in the 2024 World Cup.
