Northern Ireland make history, nervy Switzerland qualify
Last three places secured for 2022 UEFA Women's EURO
Russia, Northern Ireland and Switzerland qualify for next year’s tournament
First time that Northern Ireland have qualified
The line-up is complete, with Russia, Northern Ireland and Switzerland the final qualifiers for the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 in England. A goalless draw was enough for the Russians to secure their sixth appearance at the tournament, while the Swiss needed penalties to make it through. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, are celebrating an historic first qualification for a EURO.
Czech Republic - Switzerland 2-2 on aggregate (2-3 pens)
This play-off tie was as dramatic as they come. In the first leg, Switzerland equalised in the 90th minute, grabbing a crucial away goal into the bargain to make it 1-1 after Katerina Svitkova had given Czech Republic the lead from the spot following a foul by Julia Stierli. Switzerland’s goal also came from a penalty, with Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic tucking it away.
The return leg was just as exciting. Katerina Svitkova (51’) gave the Czechs the lead with an incredible strike, before Coumba Sow (59’) equalised a few minutes later. That was the end of the scoring in regulation and extra time, so the play-off went to penalties, with Nils Nielsen’s side squeezing home 3-2.
125
It was a special match for Anna-Maria Crnogorcevic who scored the tie-winning penalty and earned her 125th cap to be closing in on the national record.
Ukraine - Northern Ireland 1-4 on aggregate
Everything was set up for Northern Ireland to make history, and they certainly did! They won the away leg in Ukraine 2-1, Rachel Furness giving them the lead in the fifth minute before Daryna Apanaschenko equalised prior the break. In the second half, Simone Magill’s goal laid the basis for Northern Ireland’s first ever EURO qualification, and that dream became a reality in the second leg in Belfast, with goals from Marissa Callaghan (55’) and Nadene Caldwell (90’+6) sealing the deal 4-1 on aggregate. For Northern Ireland, the time for #ANewDream has come.
Portugal - Russia 0-1 on aggregate
Russia edged the first leg thanks to a Nelli Korovkina goal which saw them bring a 1-0 lead back home from Portugal. In the first half, the hosts dominated possession but the crucial goal simply would not come, and the luck was very much with the away team. A shot from Marina Federova thudded off the bar, and it was Korovkina who reacted the quickest to give her side the win in Lisbon, setting the stage for Russia to secure their sixth EURO qualification.
The scoreline after the first leg would end up being the aggregate result, and that one goal was enough for Yuri Krasnozhan’s side as they eked out a goalless draw at home in the Sapsan Arena. The Russians had their goalkeeper Elvira Todua to thank, particularly in the 70th minute, when she pulled off an incredible save from Dolores Silva.
2022 UEFA Women's EURO play-offs
01/19
Players of Switzerland celebrate Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (9 Switzerland) s goal
Chomutov, Czech Republic, April 9th 2021: Players of Switzerland celebrate Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (9 Switzerland) s goal during the UEFA Womens Champi...
02/19
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (9 Switzerland) gets ready for the penalty kick
Chomutov, Czech Republic, April 9th 2021: Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (9 Switzerland) gets ready for the penalty kick during the UEFA Womens Championship Q...
03/19
Barbora Votikova of Czech Republic reacts
CHOMUTOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - APRIL 09: Barbora Votikova of Czech Republic reacts during the Women's European Championship Qualifying Play Off match betw...
04/19
Players of Czech Republic pose for a team photo
CHOMUTOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - APRIL 09: Players of Czech Republic pose for a team photo prior to the Women's European Championship Qualifying Play Off ma...
05/19
Malin Gut of Switzerland (C) is challenged by Lucie Martinkova of Czech Republic (R)
CHOMUTOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - APRIL 09: Malin Gut of Switzerland (C) is challenged by Lucie Martinkova of Czech Republic (R) during the Women's European ...
06/19
Ramona Bachmann of Switzerland is challenged by Katerina Svitkova (L) and Petra Bertholdova of Czech Republic
CHOMUTOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - APRIL 09: uring the Women's European Championship Qualifying Play Off match between Czech Republic and Switzerland at Letni...
07/19
Elvira Todua (GK) of Russia
Elvira Todua (GK) of Russia during the UEFA Women s Euro Play off First Leg game between Portugal and Russia at Restelo Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal o...
08/19
Portugal vs. Russia
The Portuguese team received this afternoon the Russian team, at the Restelo stadium in Lisbon, in a game counting for the first leg of the Playoff of...
09/19
Russian team celebrating Nelli Korovkina of Russia first goal
Russian team celebrating Nelli Korovkina of Russia first goal during the UEFA Women s Euro Play off First Leg game between Portugal and Russia at Res...
10/19
Anna Kozhnikova (L) from Russia & Carolina Mendes (C) from Portugal
April 9, 2021, Lisbon, Portugal: Anna Kozhnikova (L) from Russia, Carolina Mendes (C) from Portugal and Anna Belomyttseva (R) from Russia seen in acti...
11/19
Nelli Korovkina of Russia celebrates
April 9, 2021, Lisbon, Portugal: Nelli Korovkina of Russia celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Women s EURO 2022 play-off first leg match ...
12/19
Russian team celebrating Nelli Korovkina first goal
Russian team celebrating Nelli Korovkina of Russia first goal during the UEFA Women s Euro Play off First Leg game between Portugal and Russia at Res...
13/19
Nadene Caldwell of Northern Ireland and Kenneth Shiels, Head Coach of Northern Ireland
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 13: Nadene Caldwell of Northern Ireland and Kenneth Shiels, Head Coach of Northern Ireland fist bump prior to the UE...
14/19
Laura Rafferty of Northern Ireland
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 13: Laura Rafferty of Northern Ireland battles for possession with Tamila Khimich and Olha Ovdiychuk of Ukraine duri...
15/19
Marissa Callaghan of Northern Ireland
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 13: Marissa Callaghan of Northern Ireland clears the ball during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Play-off match between N...
16/19
Players of Czech Republic celebrate
Players of Czech Republic celebrate a goal during the UEFA Womens Championship qualifier playoff match Czech Republic vs Switzerland in Chomutov, Czec...
17/19
Marissa Callaghan of Northern Ireland celebrates
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 13: Marissa Callaghan of Northern Ireland celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the...
18/19
Marissa Callaghan of Northern Ireland celebrates
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 13: Marissa Callaghan of Northern Ireland celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the...
19/19
Northern Ireland players celebrate
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 13: Northern Ireland players celebrate victory in the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Play-off match between Northern Ireland...