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Date Time League Season
11 June 2021 6:00 pm Women's Senior 2020/21

Match Report

Ireland WNT lose in Iceland

Vera Pauw’s Republic of Ireland endured poor preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers as they fell to a 3-2 defeat to Iceland at Laugardalsvollur stadium.

Ireland’s loss condemns them to their sixth straight defeat, adding to further woes after missing out on qualification for next year’s European Championships.

A crowd of 1,500 fans were allowed inside Laugardalsvollur Stadium and their Viking clapping supporters were treated to a brilliant start made by the hosts.

It took the hosts just 11 minutes to break the deadlock after dominating the opening stages.

Goalkeeper Sandra Sigurdardottir produced a pin-point goal kick that picked out Agla Maria Albertsdottir, who caught the Ireland defence napping and cooly lobbed Ireland keeper Grace Moloney.

Three minutes later, Iceland’s lead was doubled by captain Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, after a good ball into the box was poorly dealt with by the Ireland defence and the skipper pounced with a good finish from two yards out.

Reading keeper Moloney almost committed an error to make it 3-0 as she produced a poor pass that picked out Jonsdottir, whose shot narrowly missed the target.

A very long night looked on the cards for Ireland as they found themselves under immense pressure as the hosts went close through Elin Jensen and Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir.

Iceland made it three through West Ham player Dagny Brynjarsdottir, after a shot from outside the box hits the post and fell to the midfielder who pounced on the loose ball.

It was terrible reactions by the Ireland defence as concentration looked a key issue for Pauw’s side.

Playing with rather than against the strong wind in the second half, Ireland responded well and improved their performance.

Heather Payne’s goal pulled one back after being picked out by a decent ball to score from close range.

Captain Katie McCabe consistently put good balls into the box, but the away attackers just couldn’t capitalise on the numerous opportunities.

Substitute striker Amber Barrett scored in injury time with a good finish from a cute angle but the comeback proved too little too late.

The two teams play again on Tuesday evening, once more at Laugardalsvollur Stadium.

Ireland

Grace Moloney Goalkeeper
Louise Quinn Defender
Niamh Fahey Defender
Megan Connolly Midfielder
Diane Caldwell Defender
Denise O’Sullivan Midfielder
Katie McCabe Midfielder
Heather Payne Forward 50'
5Jamie Finn Midfielder
Niamh Farrelly 6
Aoife Colvill Forward
Claire O’Riordan Defender
Keeva Keenan Defender
Amber Barrett Forward 93'
Courtney Brosnan Goalkeeper
6Eabha O’Mahony Midfielder
11Aine O’Gorman Forward
14Claire Walsh Defender
18Eve Badana Goalkeeper
20Ellen Molloy Midfielder
7Jessica Ziu Midfielder
12Ciara Grant Midfielder
  • 93'

    Full time: Iceland 3-2 Republic of Ireland

  • 93'

    GOAL! Amber Barrett scores, a ball round the back by Fahey picks out the substitute who scores from a cute angle.

  • 90'

    The fourth official has been indicated there will be a minimum of three additional minutes to be played.

  • 90'

    Connolly's free kick is well saved at her near post and she collects the rebound to prevent the danger.

  • 90'

    Brilliant ball into the box by McGabe is punched away by the Iceland keeper and Ireland now have a free kick on the edge of the box.

  • 84'

    Katie McCabe puts in an excellent, teasing ball into the box but the away attackers couldn't capitalise.

  • 79'

    Iceland hit the bar through a cross as Ireland survive going further behind with a huge slice of luck.

  • 76'

    Diane Caldwell goes close from the corner but keeper Sandra Sigurdardottir saves her shot that was straight at her. If the shot went either side of the keeper, we\'d have a one goal game on our hands.

  • 75'

    Amber Barrett has a volley blocked after being picked out by Payne and the ball goes out for a corner. That was the best move of the night from Ireland.

  • 67'

    Jamie Finn clears an Iceland header from a corner off the line and the rebound just flies over the crossbar.

  • 55'

    Katie McCabe has a weak appeal for a penalty rightly turned down.

  • 53'

    Good response from Ireland and their putting the Iceland defence under pressure.

  • 51'

    Megan Connolly is down receiving treatment for a head injury, causing a break in play.

  • 50'

    GOAL! Heather Payne pulls one back after being picked out by a good ball from the left to cut the deficit.

  • 49'

    A succession of Ireland corners come to nothing but a decent start to the second half from the visitors.

  • 46'

    Niahm Farrelly and Aoife Colvill are replaced by Eabha O'Mahony and Amber Barrett

  • 45'

    Half time: Iceland 3-0 Republic of Ireland

  • 45'

    The fourth official has indicated a minimum of one additional minute will be played.

  • 37'

    GOAL! Iceland make it three through West Ham midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir after a shot from outside the box hits the post and falls to Brynjarsdottir who pounces on the loose ball. Terrible reactions from Iceland, concentration a real issue for Vera Pauw's side.

  • 35'

    Katie McCabe breaks forward with a one-two with Denise O'Sullivan but McCabe's shot sails wide. Better from Ireland though!

  • 31'

    The corner comes to nothing but Iceland continue to dominate possession.

  • 31'

    Iceland go close once more through Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir but Katie McCabe's vital intervention puts the ball out for a corner.

  • 24'

    Ireland continue to operate from deep putting themselves under relentless pressure and the frustration is shown clear on the players faces.

  • 19'

    Jensen has a left footed shot that just goes over Moloney's goal as the hosts are in complete control of the contest.

  • 17'

    Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney makes an error by kicking out straight to the Iceland attack and the following shot is just inches from making it 3-0.

  • 14'

    GOAL! The ball is bundled in at the back post by the Iceland captain Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, after a good ball into the box is poorly dealt with by the Ireland defence. Worrying signs for Ireland...

  • 11'

    GOAL! Iceland score on the counter attack from the goal kick and the long ball over the top is reached first by Agla Maria Albertsdottir, due to the Ireland defence switching off and the striker cooly lobs Grace Moloney to open the scoring.

  • 10'

    Katie McCabe's corner comes to nothing and goes out for a goal kick.

  • 9'

    Jamie Finn puts in a good box into the middle and Heather Payne's shot is blocked for a corner. Better from Ireland!

  • 7'

    A cross into the box picks out an Iceland attacker in the box but the header is poor but Iceland continue to dominate.

  • 5'

    Iceland have dominated the opening stages, with Ireland being camped inside their own half.

  • 3'

    Iceland have the first corner of the game and the ball in is a good one but it somehow evades the Iceland attackers and goes out for a goal kick.

  • 1'

    The national anthems have concluded and we\'re underway with 1,500 supporters inside Laugardalsvöllur stadium!

  • The weather in Reykjavik is windy but dry and seven degrees Celsius. Just moments until kick off!

  • Today's Ireland lineup includes a debut for Aoife Colvill, 85th cap for Louise Quinn and a 27th game as captain for Kate McCabe.

  • Iceland come into the match off the back of a 1-0 loss and a 1-all draw in the last international break matches, away against Italy. A second-place finish in Group F was enough to qualify for the 2021 European Championships, as the second best second place finisher overall.

  • The odds are stacked against Ireland as they currently lie 34th in the world rankings, with their opponents Iceland ranked 17th.

  • Manager Vera Pauw has named a strong squad for the two games, which includes recalls for Ciara Grant and Roma McLaughlin and a first inclusion for Saoirse Noonan.

  • During the previous international break, Ireland suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats at the hands of Belgium and Denmark, which extended their losing streak to five games.

  • Ireland disappointingly failed to qualify for the postponed 2021 European Championships, so will be desperate for some good form, going into World Cup qualification starting in September.

  • Hello and welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of today's international friendly between Iceland and Republic of Ireland.

Past Meetings

0 - 0
Women's Senior
Tallaght Stadium

Republic of Ireland v Iceland

(Playoff)
3 - 0
UEFA Women's EURO Qualification
Laugardalsvollur

Iceland v Republic of Ireland

(Playoff)
1 - 1
UEFA Women's EURO Qualification
Tallaght Stadium

Republic of Ireland v Iceland

(Algarve Cup)
1 - 4
Women's Senior
Estadio Municipal, Lagos

Republic of Ireland v Iceland

(Algarve Cup)
1 - 1
Women's Senior
Estadio Municipal, Lagos

Iceland v Republic of Ireland

Ground

Laugardalsvollur
Laugardalsvöllur, Þvottalaugavegur, Laugardalur, Reykjavik, Capital Region, 104, Iceland

I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.