UEFA Euro 2022 Qualifier Report: Northern Ireland 3 -2 Belarus

Joshua Bunting reports from Seaview

Northern Ireland are just one step away from securing a Euro 2022 playoff spot following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Belarus at Seaview Stadium on Friday night.

Goals from Kirsty McGuinness and Rachel Furness, as well as an own goal from Belarus goalkeeper Nataliya Voskobovich, earned the hosts a tight victory at the home of Crusaders.

Anastasiya Schcherbachenya twice put the visitors back on level pegging but the own goal 20 minutes from time proved the different as Northern Ireland held out for victory.

A win against the Faroe Islands in Belfast on Tuesday would see Kenny Shields’ side secure a historic feat in Northern Irish football history by becoming the first ever to secure a play-off.

Northern Ireland started in perfect fashion as they took the lead through Kirsty McGuinness of Sion Swifts in just the second minute.

Her stunning strike from just outside the area beat Voskobovich in the Belarus goal and nestled in the the top corner.

Becky Flaherty in the Northern Ireland goal then made her first save as Viktoriya Kazakevich tried her luck from distance, and the keeper held her effort comfortably.

Northern Ireland then thought they had their second when Rachel Furness got in down the left following a Demi Vance throw.

The Liverpool midfielder fired across goal and Belarus stopper Voskobovich spilled the ball loose, and it came desperately close to creeping over the line.

Flaherty, who has just recently returned from injury, had to be alert on 13 minutes when Schcherbachenya looked to be in on goal but the keeper collected just before she could get a shot away.

Two minutes later, however, Schcherbachenya did equalise for the visitors when she raced onto a long ball and fired beyond Flaherty.

The Sheffield United keeper had raced off her line, but the striker managed to place her shot into the bottom corner of the net.

On the half hour, Vance had a go from outside the box from a swift break led by Lauren Wade, but her powerful effort was dealt with comfortably by Voskobovich at her near post.

Flaherty was called into action once more four minutes before the break as a period of scrappy play in midfield yielded another Belarus chance.

Anastasiya Shlapakova, who plays her club football for Dinamo Minsk, was played in but her low effort was well dealt with by the keeper, who held the ball in the process.

Northern Ireland started the second half on top, and Wade was picked out on the wing after a neat passage of play before her low cross was cut out by Anastasiya Novikovas.

Furness then had a go from just outside the box four minutes after the break but it was just too high and sailed inches over the top of the crossbar.

Ashley Hutton had a big chance at the back post from a whipped in free kick, amid a spell of real dominance from Northern Ireland, but the defender headed just wide of the target.

It was then the turn of Marissa Callaghan, who had the next opening as the Cliftonville midfielder got one-on-one with Voskobovich but the stopper did well to stand firm and make the save.

Northern Ireland were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Julie Nelson was tugged down in the box.

Furness took the responsibility to take the spot kick and sent Voskobovich the wrong way in the to restore the home side’s lead.

They weren't ahead for long as Belarus equalised six minutes later as Schcherbachenya slotted in her second of the night.

The Northern Ireland defence opened up as Anna Pilipenko made a run from deep before and she played a through ball into the path of the clinical striker.

A crazy sequence of events saw Northern Ireland hit back like a fierce tiger hunting down its prey when McGuinness was played in out wide.

She cut inside, firing a powerful effort towards goal. It hit the woodwork and bounced back off Voskobovich and into the net, and Northern Ireland led for a third ti,e.

Northern Ireland were forced into a change with 15 minutes left as Vance went off with a knee injury, and Abbie Magee came in to make her second senior appearance.

Furness then summed up what it means to play for Northern Ireland as she put her heart and soul on the line as usual,

The midfielder was clattered by Voskobovich before she could head home a free kick that hsd been whipped into the six-yard box.

Belarus would have one final opportunity from a free kick but it was well plucked out of the air by Flaherty as Northern Ireland held on for the vital three points.

Northern Ireland: Becky Flaherty; Ashley Hutton, Julie Nelson, Chloe McCarron, Demi Vance (Abbie Magee 76); Marissa Callaghan (c), Nadene Caldwell, Rachel Furness; Lauren Wade, Emily Wilson (Ciara Watling 86), Kirsty McGuinness (Samantha Kelly 89).

Subs not used: Lauren Perry (gk), Kelsie Burrows, Toni Leigh Finnegan, Joely Andrews, Caitlin McGuinness, Danielle Maxwell, Kerry Beattie.

Booked: Abbie McGee (90+2).

Belarus: Natalia Voskobovich; Viktoryia Kazakevich, Anastasiya Novikava, Anna Kozyupa, Valeryia Bohdan; Anastasiya Kharlanava (Karina Olkhovik 46), Anastasiya Linnik, Anna Pilipenko (Kseniya Kubichnaya 78); Anastasiya Shlapakova (Tatsiana Krasnova 78), Anastasiya Shuppo, Anastasiya Shcherbachenia (c).

Subs not used: Katerina Miklashevich (gk), Maryia Svidunovich (gk), Nastassia Papova, Hanna Sas, Anastasiya Pabiahaila, Melana Surautsava, Vita Nikalayenka, Valeryia Karachun, Ektaterina Kovalchuk.

Booked: Valeryia Bohdan (83).

Referee: Silvia Domingos (Portugal).

Player of the Match: Kirsty McGuinness (Northern Ireland).