Scotland 0-1 Republic of Ireland: Vera Pauw's side qualify for first Women's World Cup
- Published
- comments
Amber Barrett's breakaway goal sent Republic of Ireland to the World Cup
Scotland missed out on a place at the Women's World Cup as the Republic of Ireland crushed their hopes at Hampden to reach the country's first ever finals.
The Scots were made to pay for Caroline Weir's missed penalty before the break when substitute Amber Barrett hared through on the break to slot past goalkeeper Lee Gibson.
Ireland's ruthlessness summed up the match in which they had little possession, but created the better scoring chances as Scotland struggled.
Having qualified for the European Championships in 2017 and World Cup two years later, the defeat means the Scots will miss out on two consecutive major championships - a bitter pill to swallow for head coach Pedro Martinez Losa and his players, who were dejected at the full-time whistle.
But for Ireland it was sheer joy on the Hampden turf as Vera Pauw's squad marked themselves as trailblazers for their country by qualifying for the finals in Australia and New Zealand next summer.
It was an incredibly hard-fought and deserved victory, made all the more emotional by the fact it was Barrett who scored the decisive goal days after an explosion killed 10 people in Creeslough, in her home county of Donegal.
The Irish were organised and disciplined out of possession, and more direct and threatening in attack.
Somehow they failed to go ahead before the break when Scotland defender Sophie Howard and goalkeeper Gibson made three blocks in 10 seconds to deny Ireland from point-blank range. Aine O'Gorman also missed a header from five yards out.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The turning point for Scotland will be Weir's penalty miss, awarded when a hand was used to block Martha Thomas' goal-bound shot.
The Real Madrid midfielder's effort was tame, as Republic goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan dived to her left to make a smart save.
From there, Scotland had so much of the ball but toiled to fashion clear openings. Fiona Brown's lunging shot at the back post went close, but as they threw bodies forward late on, Erin Cuthbert's shot went straight at Brosnan and Howard headed wide.
The Scotland players' pain was clear at the end, but the reality is they have struggled to create chances throughout their qualifying campaign.
They were made to pay the price, and will have to watch from home as others take to the main stage next for the second summer in a row.
Player of the match - Amber Barrett
It has to go to the matchwinner, who stayed ice cool at the key moment
Scotland out thought on own patch - analysis
The Republic of Ireland could barely have dreamt of their game plan going any better. They set up with a back five and squeezed Scotland's key players in the middle of the pitch, and were content to let the home side go wide.
When Scotland did get any joy on the wings, Ireland's back three of Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, and Diane Caldwell defended crosses with ease. Then, we then did get the ball they unsettled Scotland.
Pauw's side were purposeful and direct and caused problems, with the goal coming from robbing possession in midfield and playing one pass in behind.
As for Scotland, the same problems which have lingered throughout this campaign were evident. Martinez Losa wants his players to play out, and keep possession, but they do not create enough.
Too often their possession is sterile, and they don't get enough bodies into the box.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Playing Cuthbert, arguably Scotland's most creative player, as the holding midfielder seems a waste when there are others who could fill in and allow the Chelsea player to push forward.
The bottom line is not reaching the World Cup after two home play-off ties is a failure. It's not just a case of not playing in the biggest tournament in the women's game, but all the exposure that comes with it and opportunity to grow the sport.
The women's game is developing all over the world and Scotland need to keep up if they're to make the most of it. It's hard to mount a case the squad's potential is being maximised.
What they said
Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: "We missed little details. We didn't score the penalty, and after that, I'm not sure how many opportunities the opposition had to score.
"The game plan was executed well. It was one action at one side of the box and another at the one side of the box that decided the game."
Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw said on RTE: "I can't believe it. I just can't believe it. How is this possible?
"Amber's first touch made the game. Preparation is everything. The saved penalty by Courtney was not luck. We knew where it was going. We trained for everything and we were ready for every scenario."
Scotland 'were shadow' of themselves in Ireland loss
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.