Forward Carla Devine scored a hat-trick to fire Cliftonville to a famous European victory
Carla Devine scored a hat-trick as Cliftonville fought back from a goal down to secure a historic 3-1 win over KFF Mitrovica in the Champions League.
Kosovan side Mitrovica took the lead when Aurora Mulliqi netted in first-half injury time.
Devine took the game to extra-time when she equalised in the 84th minute, and the forward netted twice in extra-time to book the Reds' spot in the Group Six final.
The Solitude outfit had key winger Kirsty McGuinness sent off in the closing stages for a second yellow card but Cliftonville held on for a famous win.
It is a first Women's Champions League win for Cliftonville, who booked their place in the competition by clinching the league with a 100% win rate in 2024.
The victory also caps a remarkable month after the Reds won the League Cup by beating Glentoran 4-2 in the final.
The Reds also defeated the same opponents to blow open the Women's Premiership title race.
The north Belfast side will now take on Georgian opponents Lanchkhuti in the Group Six final on Saturday in Prishtina.
There were chances at either end at the Zahir Pajaziti Stadium as Vicky Carleton shot over the bar from a corner and Erjona Emerllahu's attempt on goal was saved by Rachael Norney.
The opener came on the stroke of half-time when Mulliqi beat Norney, but Cliftonville responded well after the break as Caitlin McGuinness and Marissa Callaghan had chances.
Edona Kryeziu had attempt on goal saved by Norney as hosts pressed for a second but there was a twist to come when Devine equalised with six minutes to play to force the game into extra-time.
Devine, who was a substitute for Naomi McLaughlin, was at her clinical best in extra-time to send Cliftonville through to the next round for the first time.
The Reds will be without the influential McGuinness in the Group final, but Devine wrote her name in the history books with her super-sub performance.
