WHAT A NIGHT at Tallaght Stadium for Vera Pauw’s Republic of Ireland.
The Girls In Green got their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track, and rounded off 2021 on a high with a thumping 11-0 win over Group A’s minnows Georgia.
Substitute Amber Barrett scored the record-breaking 10th goal, as Ireland made history and surpassed 9-0 wins against Montenegro in 2016, and Malta in 2003.
- You can watch all 11 goals here:
- And read The42′s match report here:
Ruthless Ireland round off 2021 on a high with historic 11-0 win over Georgia
The excellent Denise O’Sullivan scored a hat-trick, captain and Player of the Match Katie McCabe was on the double, and Kyra Carusa, Lucy Quinn, Saoirse Noonan and Megan Connolly were also on the scoresheet for Ireland.
A fourth-minute own goal opened the rout, as Georgia endured a nightmare night in the wind and rain with 3,523 fans watching on.
It was the perfect way for Ireland to bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw with lower-ranked Slovakia – their main rivals for second place – last week, and comes as their second win of the campaign after the monumental 2-1 one in Finland (they also lost 1-0 to Sweden at home).
Tonight’s victory moves Pauw’s side to second in Group A at the midway point, eight points behind heavyweights Sweden with a game in hand as they chase qualification for a first-ever major tournament.
Finland are one point behind, also with a game in hand, with Slovakia next in line:
The campaign restarts in April 2022.