Simone Magill is brought down on the edge of the area by Janja Canjevac.

Danielle Maxwell stands over it.

I was nearly made to eat my words there as the Republic of Ireland come close to doubling their lead through a free-kick!

Tatia Gabunia rushes off her line to try collect Katie McCabe's curling delivery. However Kyra Carusa gets a touch before the stopper can with her effort inches over.

Emphatic. Here's how Croatia took the lead against Northern Ireland.

Another cross flies in but Connie Scofield sends her header well over the bar.

It's been all Northern Ireland since the opener.

Lauren Wade gets a break down the left and she lofts a cross in but it's gathered by Doris Bacic.

Not much to keep you informed about since the restart.

There have been a couple of free-kicks in the opening few minutes but no shots on (or off) target have been created as a result.

Caragh Hamilton
Northern Ireland winger on BBC iPlayer

Northern Ireland don't need to change anything that they set out to do. Trust the process, trust your players to execute what you've asked them to do.

Now Laura Rafferty goes close!

A short corner isn't cleared and Rafferty fires it towards goal, but it's deflected away.

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI in Varazdin

The worst possible start for Northern Ireland and they are the architects of their own downfall as Laura Rafferty and Jackie Burns don't communicate and fail to clear.

Tanya Oxtoby is visibly exasperated on the touchline before Izabela Lojna blasts home, but they have responded well to going behind, with Danielle Maxwell threatening on the right.

Northern Ireland are nearly level!

Danielle Maxwell breaks down the right and Simone Magill flicks it onto the crossbar.

It bounces on the line and is hacked away.

Good response by Tanya Oxtoby's side.

Caragh Hamilton
Northern Ireland winger on BBC iPlayer

That's an absolutely fantastic penalty.

Even if Jackie Burns does go the right way, there's no way she's stopping that.

Right, how do Northern Ireland respond from here?

it's early days so no need to panic, but that's a disaster conceding so early on.

Keeper Jackie Burns collides with Ivana Rudelic in the area and the Portuguese referee points straight to the spot.

We've only played three minutes.

Back underway at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.

No changes in personnel at the break.

Caragh Hamilton
Northern Ireland international

They are relishing that favourites tag. It's not a tag that we wear often. I feel like there is a real confidence, a real enjoyment and good feel coming out of the group this week.

I hope they put in the performance we've been building towards.

Northern Ireland make a really bright start as Rebecca Holloway skips down the left and finds Laruen Wade.

She whips a cross in but it's just beyond Danielle Maxwell.

Away we go!

Can Northern Ireland bring a positive result back to Windsor Park for the second leg? Let's find out!

Stephanie Zambra
Former Republic of Ireland striker on RTE 2

The Republic of Ireland are going to have to be patient, not get frustrated and just keep plugging away. I think in the second half if they can continue to do that, we will see a few more goals.

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI in Varaždin

Connie Shcofield has only played 18 minutes of football for Northern Ireland but has been drafted in for her start tonight in place of the injured Joely Andrews, she will play alongside Brenna McPartlan who is trusted with her fourth consecutive start under Tanya Oxtoby.

What a night also for Laura Rafferty, who captains the side on her 50th cap for her country, a milestone that probably seemed unthinkable before she returned to the squad under Oxtoby and established herself as a key player.