Jamie Finn
Republic of Ireland defender on RTE 2

Georgia have improved, we can see that as we have only scored a penalty in the first half.

We expected to score more goals in this game but I do think Georgia might tire in the second half.

It's time for the anthems.

Here come the teams in Varazdin as Laura Raffetry leads out Northern Ireland on her 50th cap.

Image source, BBC Sport

Northern Ireland

Here's a reminder of the team news from Croatia as Tanya Oxtoby makes three changes.

Simone Magill, Connie Scofield and Lauren Wade are in for Kerry Beattie, Joely Andrews and Casey Howe.

Northern Ireland: Burns, McKenna, Rafferty (capt), Dugdale, Holloway, McPartlan, Halliday, Scofield, Wade, Maxwell, Magill.

Subs: Norney, Harvey-Clifford, Bell, McCarron, Burrows, Mason, McDaniel, Wilson, McLaren, Johnson, Howe.

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby has urged her side to "get off to a good start" in the first leg of their opening Euro 2025 play-off with Croatia in Varaždin.

Oxtoby's side were seeded in the play-off draw after finishing second in Group B3 and go into the game in good form after beating Malta and Bosnia-Herzegovina in their final two qualifiers in July.

The manager knows they must begin with intent as they look to bring a positive result back to Belfast for the second leg on Tuesday night.

"We had two really good results in the last window, so we want to build on that and get off to a good start," she told BBC Sport NI.

"We want to get a good result so we go back to our home game and are in a really commanding position."

Image source, Getty Images

Katie McCabe's penalty gives the away side the lead at the break.

It's been a dominant display from the away side, but Georgia have also enjoyed spells of possession.

Will Eileen Gleeson's side extend their advantage in the second half?

Lily Agg falls under the challenge of Mariam Kalandadze in the box, but the referee waves the appeals away.

Maiko Bebia's free-kick is quickly cleared by Caitlin Hayes.

Just a few minutes to go until the break.

Katie McCabe's corner is met by the head of Anna Patten with the Aston Villa defender's effort gathered by Tatia Gabunia.

BBC iPlayer

You can watch Northern Ireland's first leg in Croatia live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Northern Ireland winger Caragh Hamilton, who is missing the two legs through injury, is on commentary duty alongside Thomas Kane.

The Republic of Ireland have a corner as Denise O'Sullivan's delivery is deflected out of play by Mariam Kalandadze.

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI in Varazdin

Something to keep an eye on tonight will be the pitch at the stadion Varteks, which looked rather dry and bumpy when Northern Ireland were training on it yesterday.

I asked Tanya Oxtoby about it, and she said: "For our preparation we trained on a pitch similar to this in terms of the patchiness so there are no excuses."

Far from ideal for NI, but something they have dealt with before and will have to do so again.

Postpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 25 October 2024

17:42 BST 25 October 2024

Georgia 0-1 Republic of Ireland

There is a stoppage in play here to let Natia Danelia, who conceded the penalty just minutes ago, receive treatment.

Abbie Larkin's delivery hits the arm of Natia Danelia and the referee points to the spot!

Katie McCabe whips the ball into the box for the onrushing Abbie Larkin, who sends her effort a whisker wide.

There was nice play by McCabe and Julie-Ann Russell on the left wing in the build-up as the away side start to comfortably control the game again.

Image source, Press Eye

When manager Tanya Oxtoby took over the Northern Ireland women's team she had ambitions of qualifying for major tournaments - so are they ready?

It has been a busy 14 months under Oxtoby.

After competing at Euro 2022, the squad struggled, leading to the exit of former manager Kenny Shiels and Oxtoby was brought in to turn things around.

She has made plenty of changes - lowering the average age of the squad, moving them up the Fifa world rankings and improving their defensive record.

Now, as they prepare for two crucial Euro 2025 play-off games against Croatia, Oxtoby reflects on the progression the side have made.

"I would sum it up as being super exciting and a lot of work," she told BBC Sport.

"I've learned so much over the last 12 months about myself, the group and the country. We're on a really exciting journey and this is just the start.

"I can't wait to see where we get to in another 18 months. Get on board. It's an exciting time."

Julie-Ann Russell nods Abbie Larkin's cross towards goal with Tatia Gabunia forced to palm the effort over the crossbar.

The resulting corner comes to nothing.

The answer is no.

Katie McCabe plays it short with Abbie Larkin's cross into a busy box gathered by Tatia Gabunia.

Denise O'Sullivan is brought to ground by Ana Cheminava and the Republic of Ireland have a free-kick.

Can they make it count?