Ireland beats Netherlands 3-2 with late Barrett goal

Amber Barrett scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as the Republic of Ireland secured a stunning 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in a crucial Women's World Cup qualifier at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork on Friday, June 5. The result keeps Ireland's hopes of direct qualification for the 2027 tournament in Brazil alive, setting up a decisive final group match against France on Tuesday.

In a rain-soaked, topsy-turvy encounter, Ireland took the lead in the 19th minute through Kyra Carusa, who finished after a well-worked move involving Ruesha Littlejohn and Abbie Larkin. The Netherlands, ranked sixth in the world, dominated possession and struck the crossbar but struggled to adapt to the wet conditions and could not find an equalizer before halftime.

The visitors leveled the match in the 68th minute when captain Dominique Janssen converted a penalty after Aoife Mannion fouled Jackie Groenen. Ireland responded almost immediately, with Larkin restoring the lead by forcing home a low cross from Marissa Sheva. The Dutch equalized for a second time nine minutes from full time through substitute Victoria Pelova.

With the match seemingly headed for a draw, Barrett, who had entered the...