The French women's national team successfully kicked off their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign, defeating Ireland 2:1 away. Although the hosts took the lead thanks to a goal from Katie McCabe, a brace from Melvine Malard in the second half secured all three points for Les Bleues. The evening was also full of excitement at other stadiums: England thrashed Ukraine 6:1, and Northern Ireland lost to Switzerland 0:2, outlining the initial power dynamics in the qualifying groups.

Malard's Brace Saves France

Melvine Malard scored two goals in eight minutes, turning the match in Tallaght from 1:0 for Ireland to 1:2 for France.

Impressive England Victory

The England team thrashed Ukraine 6:1, with Alessia Russo playing a key role, scoring two goals.

Ireland's Squad Problems

Katie McCabe and Denise O'Sullivan sustained injuries, casting doubt on their participation in the crucial match against the Netherlands.

The start of the road to the 2027 Women's World Cup brought immense excitement to fans in Dublin, though it ended in disappointment for the local crowd. The Republic of Ireland team, led by Eileen Gleeson, faced the favored France at Tallaght Stadium. The match started sensationally when the captain of the 'Girls in Green', Katie McCabe, put her team ahead. The Irish women effectively repelled their opponents' attacks for a long time, showing great tactical discipline and determination in defense. However, the second half brought a dramatic shift in the game's momentum when the French coach made substitutions that revitalized the attacking formation. The heroine of the evening was Melvine Malard, who scored twice in just eight minutes, turning the tide of the match. The first goal came from a precise finish in the penalty area, and the second was a result of the striker's instinct, capitalizing on a momentary lapse in the Irish defense. Despite desperate attempts to equalize in the final moments, Ireland lacked precision, which the players, including Megan Ward, commented on bitterly after the match, describing the loss as extremely painful for the entire team. The Irish squad situation is further complicated by injuries to key players McCabe and Denise O'Sullivan, casting doubt on their participation in the upcoming match against the Netherlands. Women's World Cup qualifiers have been subject to increasingly strict regulations since FIFA organized the first official tournament of this stature in 1991. Currently, European national teams are competing for spots in the final tournament, which has become one of the most lucrative sporting events in the world.At the same time, the England team confirmed its dominance in women's football, confidently defeating Ukraine 6:1. Sarina Wiegman's charges controlled the match from the start, with Alessia Russo scoring twice, fulfilling the pre-match objective of a high-scoring victory. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland failed to cause an upset in their away clash with Switzerland, losing 0:2. Despite the defeat, the Northern Irish coaching staff emphasized that this match provides a solid foundation for building the team under Kris Lindsaya. The global race for World Cup qualification is entering a crucial phase, and the result from Dublin puts the French team in a comfortable position at the start of the campaign. „I feel like somebody's stabbed me in the heart” — Megan Ward

Mentioned People

  • Melvine Malard — French striker, scorer of two goals in the match against Ireland.
  • Katie McCabe — Captain of the Republic of Ireland team, scorer of the opening goal.
  • Alessia Russo — English footballer, a key figure in the high-scoring victory over Ukraine.