The Republic of Ireland booked their place at the World Cup for the first time in their history by defeating Scotland 1-0 in their play-off match at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.
Substitute Amber Barrett’s second half strike was enough to get the job done for Vera Pauw’s side as they shattered Scotland’s hopes of reaching next summer’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
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Barrett was not the only hero of the game, however. Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan did brilliantly to deny Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir from the penalty spot in the first half, which was viewed as a crucial stage of the match. It was a tame penalty from Weir, but Brosnan had clearly done her homework as she correctly dived to her left to keep the midfielder out.
Scotland saw a lot more of the ball in the game but it was Ireland who made better use of it. For Barrett's decisive strike, she was set away by a superb defence-splitting pass from Denise O’Sullivan. She then drove the ball forward through on goal and coolly slotted past Lee Gibson for the monumental goal.
The County Donegal striker’s celebration was a tribute to the Donegal village of Creeslough where a gas explosion took the lives of 10 people on Friday. She kissed her black armband and later teared up giving her post-match interview, wrapped in a Donegal flag after being named as the Player of the Match.
She said: "I've not been able to put into words about it. There has been a sombreness about me the past few days," Barrett told RTE.
"This result, this game, that goal, this award - I'm dedicating it to those 10 beautiful souls who unfortunately perished on Friday.
"For all their families, because I know they touched their lives. They certainly touched ours."
Wrapped in her Donegal flag, goal hero Amber Barrett speaks to @Corktod
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Reflecting on her goal and what this qualification means for Ireland, Barrett added: "That was the longest 20 minutes of my life when that goal went in. I kept checking the clock every 30 seconds.
"I've said it 100 times since the game finished. I do not know what we have just done.
"I cannot believe it, but seeing the people who have travelled here, seeing the people at home who are watching, this is for every single one of them.
"This is for all the young kids growing up. Now they have something to dream for and I'm so proud to be part of this team."
Elsewhere, Wales’ World Cup dreams were shattered in the final minute of extra time as they were defeated 2-1 by Switzerland in Zurich. Like Ireland, Wales were hoping to seal their place at their first World Cup finals but they were undone right at the death as Fabienne Humm’s winner sent Switzerland through instead.
Here are the teams that have qualified for the World Cup so far:
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Australia
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New Zealand
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Japan
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South Korea
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China
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Philippines
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Vietnam
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Sweden
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Spain
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France
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Denmark
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United States
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Canada
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Costa Rica
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Jamaica
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Zambia
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Morocco
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Nigeria
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South Africa
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Colombia
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Brazil
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Argentina
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Norway
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Germany
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England
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Italy
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Netherlands
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Switzerland
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Republic of Ireland
