'Relief and euphoria as Wade steps up to save Northern Ireland'

Lauren Wade closed her eyes and savoured the moment as she fired Northern Ireland to a reunion with Norway

It had been 114 minutes of ever-growing frustration. And then, in an instant, pure euphoria.

As Lauren Wade wheeled away after her superb, much-needed goal, she put her arms out and looked to the skies, her eyes closed as she soaked in the moment.

It was a celebration of relief, more than anything, as Northern Ireland kept alive their Euro 2025 dreams.

The players and bench ran to the corner to celebrate with Wade, while manager Tanya Oxtoby hugged her coaching staff in the dugout.

After a gritty 1-1 draw in Croatia, a drab second leg at Windsor Park looked destined for penalties.

Northern Ireland's dreams of making Euro 2025 were in the balance until Wade, not for the first time, was the hero as her effort from the edge of the area flew into the top corner.

"It was really emotional," said Wade.

"We had the belief we were always going to score, but I'm proud of the significance of the goal and what it meant.

"It's definitely up there with one of the best I've scored."

Simone Magill, who captained Northern Ireland for the first time at Windsor Park, said it was a "special night".

Placing the emotion to one side, it was a forgettable and largely flat showing in Belfast before Wade's moment of magic. But, ultimately, only one thing mattered.

"In the years to come, we'll just know the result. No one is going to care about the performance.

"We'll learn a lot from it but in the past, in that sort of situation, it would have gone to penalties because we wouldn't have created something in the last few minutes.

"It shows the shift in our mentality that we were going to go and win the game, and not let it go to penalties.

"The most important thing is we got the job done tonight."

Magill, who was substituted as her minutes were managed following her return from injury, joked that she was "halfway down the sideline" the moment the ball left Wade's boot.

"Again, Wader steps up," she said.

"We have so many players who step up when you need them and it's an unbelievable finish from her. I don't think she'll let us forget it in a hurry."

While Magill has been appointed captain, Oxtoby had said she was "blessed" with leaders in what is a youthful squad.

Match-winner Wade played out of position at left-back, while defenders Laura Rafferty, Rebecca Holloway and Rebecca McKenna all played their part.

"We have a few really good leaders in this team and they have all stepped up," said Magill, who celebrates her 30th birthday on Friday.

"The kids are great and they are so hungry. They ask 101 questions and I love it.

"We've got a lot of youth, but they are hungry and ready to push on and take the next step."

'It's up to us to spoil the party'

It was a rocky road at times, but now Northern Ireland are just 180 minutes away from reaching back-to-back Euros finals.

However, there is one sizeable obstacle before their dreams become a reality - European heavyweights Norway, who defeated Albania 14-0 on aggregate.

After being favourites against Croatia, Northern Ireland revert back to their traditional underdog tag.

Norway are familiar opponents for Northern Ireland. They faced off in Euro 2022 qualifying, and again at the finals in England.

The Norwegians ran out comfortable winners on all three occasions but Northern Ireland are a different side now, with only seven of the 16 players used in their latest meeting in Southampton involved in Tuesday's game with Croatia.

Despite it being a play-off, it's essentially a free hit for Oxtoby's youthful side as few outside the group will expect success.

Northern Ireland last faced Norway at their first-ever match at a major finals at Euro 2022

Magill added that it was "really exciting" to be just two matches away from a place at the Euros.

"We've done it before, we've been underdogs our whole lives," she said.

"We're going to be so hungry and driven to get back there again."

The striker added that all the pressure is on Norway to get the job done, and Northern Ireland are "used to being the team that no one expects anything from".

"That removes an element of pressure. When you are the favourites then the pressure is all on you and that brings a new set of challenges.

"That may work in our favour because we know the pressure is all on Norway in the next two games.

"It's up to us to go and spoil the party."