In a thrilling encounter at the Stadion Varteks in Varazdin, Croatia, Northern Ireland’s women’s football team managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Croatia in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 play-off. After falling behind early due to a penalty, Northern Ireland’s resilience shone through as they equalized in injury time with a fortunate own goal from Croatia’s Izabela Lojna.
Key Takeaways
- Northern Ireland dominated possession but struggled to convert chances.
- Croatia took an early lead with a penalty in the 4th minute.
- A late own goal by Lojna salvaged a draw for Northern Ireland.
- The second leg will be held at Windsor Park on October 29.
Match Overview
The match kicked off with a shocking start for Northern Ireland, as goalkeeper Jackie Burns was penalized for a foul in the box just three minutes in. Croatia’s Izabela Lojna stepped up to take the penalty, sending the ball into the top corner to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Despite the early setback, Northern Ireland quickly regrouped and began to assert their dominance. They created several opportunities, including a near miss from Simone Magill, whose shot hit the crossbar shortly after Croatia’s goal.
Northern Ireland’s Response
Northern Ireland’s attacking efforts were evident as they registered 13 attempts on goal compared to Croatia’s seven. Key moments included:
- Danielle Maxwell’s Cross: A dangerous delivery that almost found Magill in the box.
- Laura Rafferty’s Shot: A deflected effort that narrowly missed the target.
- Keri Halliday’s Free-Kick: A well-placed shot that was saved by Croatia’s goalkeeper Doris Bacic.
As the match progressed, Croatia adopted a defensive strategy, making it difficult for Northern Ireland to find their rhythm. The visitors continued to push for an equalizer, but the bumpy pitch hampered their passing game.
Late Drama
With time running out, Northern Ireland’s persistence paid off in the 92nd minute. A corner taken by McDaniel was cleverly played to Casey Howe, who delivered a low cross into the box. In a moment of misfortune for Croatia, Lojna inadvertently redirected the ball into her own net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Looking Ahead
The draw leaves the tie finely balanced as both teams prepare for the second leg at Windsor Park on October 29. Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby praised her team’s resilience and the impact of her substitutes, emphasizing the importance of their performance in the upcoming match.
"It’s not just about the players that start; it’s about the ones that come off the bench and make a difference," Oxtoby stated.
With the home advantage in the next match, Northern Ireland will aim to build on this momentum and secure a place in the next round of the Euro 2025 play-offs. Fans are encouraged to support the team as they look to capitalize on this crucial draw and advance further in the tournament.
Sources
- European Women’s Football Championship: Croatia vs. Northern Ireland-Xinhua, Xinhua.
- Northern Ireland draw with Croatia in first leg of p…, Irish Football Association.
- Late own-goal gives Northern Ireland Women draw in Croatia – SheKicks, SheKicks.
- Northern Ireland’s resilience and bench shone through in Croatia, praises Tanya Oxtoby | BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, Belfast Telegraph.
- NI snatch first-leg play-off draw with late Croatia own goal, AOL.com.
