World Cup Qualifiers: Lily Agg seals World Cup play-off for Republic with win over Finland

Lily Agg scored a historic goal as the Republic of Ireland booked a play-off place for the 2023 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Finland at a sold-out Tallaght Stadium.

The result meant Vera Pauw’s side clinched a play-off spot with a game to spare before the final round of qualifiers on Tuesday.

The Finns, starting the night one point behind the Republic, went into the game in a state of disarray.

Under-17 manager Marko Saloranta was in charge after Anna Signeul stepped down following Euro 2022, where defeats by Spain, Denmark and Germany marked a group-stage exit.

Pauw had stated pre-match the Republic would deal with the expectation and pressure of being one match away from the play-offs.

However, it was Finland who looked more likely to make the breakthrough before Agg’s header swung the game in the home side’s favour.

The London City Lionesses midfielder, on as a first-half substitute for her third cap, diverted Megan Connolly’s free-kick over Finnish goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela to spark wild celebrations, which were memorably replicated when full-time blew in Dublin.

The Republic’s final match is in Slovakia on Tuesday, before attention turns to a potential World Cup place.

A convoluted play-off system, however, means the Irish could face as many as four games before their dream can become a reality.

Despite the troubled build-up, Finland pressed from the off and Irish captain Katie McCabe had to be alert to hack Anna Westerlund’s low drive off the line after goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan failed to deal with a corner.

The Irish struggled to settle in front of a record crowd with a nervy start, much to the frustration of Pauw, but a good opportunity came when McCabe’s thunderous effort was deflected out for a corner.

Diane Caldwell powered a header off the crossbar from the resulting set-piece, but Louise Quinn was adjudged to have failed to keep the ball in play from McCabe’s initial corner.

The hosts were then lucky to escape when Linda Sallstrom fired towards goal and her shot took a touch off the returning Megan Campbell and Everton stopper Brosnan was forced to quickly adjust her feet and make a superb save.

Brosnan’s intervention settled the hosts and, although the tempo remained low, they began to make an impact.

Denise O’Sullivan could only head straight into the gloves of Korpela from 10 yards, before the Spurs goalkeeper held the hard-running Heather Payne’s low effort on the stroke of half-time.

Memorable full-time scenes

Campbell, in for injured Liverpool team-mate Niamh Fahey, caused problems with her long throws and Korpela sprung into action to stop Elli Pikkujamsa glancing the ball into her own net.

The hosts got the vital goal when Agg headed home from a free-kick after Emma Koivisto caught McCabe.

Payne had a chance to make it 2-0 after racing over the top, but her weak effort was saved by Korpela. A goalmouth scramble followed which set McCabe up for a long-range strike which flew narrowly over.

Finland then struggled to break down the home defence, superbly marshalled by Quinn, and were restricted to long-range attempts from Sanni Franssi and Liverpool’s Koivisto.

As the game opened up in the closing stages, Korpela got a crucial touch to Jessica Ziu’s cross, which took the ball away from the onrushing O’Sullivan.

The home crowd held their breath when striker Sallstrom almost guided a header home in added time, but there were tears of relief and joy in the end as Pauw’s team moved one step closer to a maiden World Cup.