IRELAND are on their way to the World Cup play-offs after last night completing a historic double over Finland.
Vera Pauw’s Tigers survived a handful of early scares at Tallaght Stadium before super-sub Lily Agg headed them to a famous win.
Having toppled the Finns in Helsinki last year, expectations were high last night, but that overlooked the visitors’ superior ranking, talent and recent appearance at the European Championships.
READ MORE: Ireland 1-0 Finland recap
Yet once again Pauw’s side - as they have done so often in this campaign - showed that they belong at this level.
Much like a decent chunk of the support, Ireland were late getting into this one.
Traffic on the N81 might have slowed some of what was heralded as a sell-out crowd from taking their seats by kick-off.
While the 6,952 attendance was 900 shy of the magical 7,800 figure, it still represented a new record with plenty to spare, beating the 5,328 that turned out for Vera Pauw’s first game in charge against Ukraine in 2019.
As for Pauw’s side, they were stuck in reverse as the visitors piled on the early pressure.
Finland needed the win last night more than their hosts, with a final game next week against the all-conquering Swedes.
And it showed in the urgency of their opening attacks, which were largely orchestrated by the impressive Ria Oling.
But Ireland saw out their early attacks, thanks to some brave defending by Megan Connolly, a goal line clearance by Katie McCabe and a wonderful Courtney Brosnan save.
The Everton ‘keeper managed to keep out Anna Westerlund’s effort just before the half-hour mark despite the shot taking two deflections - off Diane Caldwell and Megan Campbell.
Liverpool ace Campbell was back in the side in part for her unique attacking attribute.
Famed for her throws, which are often more dangerous than crosses, given their speed and flat trajectory, Campbell’s first of the night almost made the head of Louise Quinn.
Only a last-gasp intervention took the ball over the Birmingham centre-half and wide for a corner.
But that moment was a momentum-shifter and it helped the Girls in Green gain an attacking foothold in the game - one that they stubbornly refused to relinquish.
Finally they were getting some joy down the flanks, with Jess Ziu crossing from the right and Heather Payne from the left.
Neither found an Irish head or foot, but it was the lift Ireland needed.
A strong first-half finish, which saw a flurry of chances before the break, was followed by an equally assertive start to the second period, with Campbell causing more panic inside the Finnish area with her throws.
Caldwell managed to force the ball goalwards from McCabe’s 49th minute cross, but her effort lacked the venom to beat Tottenham ‘keeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela.
Denise O’Sullivan and Katie McCabe have so often been the heroes for Ireland in this campaign, but last night the pair gave up top billing to Agg.
Her match-winner arrived in the 54th minute and it came from a set-piece.
Agg was only on the pitch because of a foot injury that forced Ruesha Littlejohn off after 41 minutes, but from her first touch she looked at ease in midfield.
Some of the Finns had clearly forgotten her arrival when Megan Connolly sent a free-kick from deep towards the penalty spot.
The London City Lionesses ace was completely unmarked as she rose and looped her header over the advancing Korpela and into an empty net.
Chances were few and far between after that as the Finns struggled to create anything of note, while Ireland were happy to see out a famous win.
Next up is Tuesday’s visit to Slovakia, which could yet have significance when it comes to Ireland’s place in a complicated play-off system.
But they will go to Slovakia with confidence, eager to build yet more momentum ahead of the October play-offs.
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