Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team scored a last-gasp winner deep into added time to defeat Belarus in a Euro qualifier played in Italy.
Competition
UEFA WU19 Euro 2026 qualifiers (League A Group 6)
Scoreline
Northern Ireland WU19s 3-2 Belarus WU19s
Scorers
Northern Ireland: Hanna Hadzinskaya OG (26’), Darcie McNeill (46’), Gracie Conway (90’+8)
Belarus: Anastasiya Kavaliova (59’), Lizaveta Marchuk (83’)
Venue
Davide Astori Viola Park, Florence
Date
2 December 2025
Team News
Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team have been in Italy over the past week competing in League A in the first stage of qualifiers for UEFA WU19 Euro 2026.
Their final game in Group A6 against Belarus was a must-win following defeats to Italy and Switzerland in their opening two games.
A victory was needed to stay in League A for stage two of the qualifiers next spring. Belarus also lost their two opening games, however they had a much better goal difference going in to today’s encounter.
Women’s Under-19 boss Gail Redmond made two changes to the 11 that started the narrow defeat to Switzerland in game two in the mini tournament. Mia Moore and Clodagh Maguire came in for Lucy Kelly and Zoe Knox.
How it happened
Northern Ireland had the first chance of the game, Mia Moore guiding an effort wide.
Belarus had a series of corners, however the Northern Ireland defence held firm.
On 18 minutes Moore got on the end of a Darcie McNeill free-kick but put her header wide. Then Belarus keeper Katsiaryna Krupnik saved well from a Clodagh Maguire strike.
Moore’s shot from the edge of the area went inches over the bar and Anastasija Stanite guided a free-kick over the top.
In the 26th minute Northern Ireland took the lead. The Belarus keeper initially pushed out a Gracie Conway shot, however in trying to clear the ball from the danger zone Belarus forward Hanna Hadzinskaya somehow managed to head it past her own keeper.
Moore had another opportunity from a tight angle before Conway spotted the keeper off her line and launched a long range shot which cannoned off the bar.
As half-time approached Belarus attacker Anastasiya Kavaliova guided a shot wide, and Moore went close with an effort.
Half-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 1-0 Belarus WU19s
Northern Ireland increased their lead three minutes into the second half. Moore dribbled past a couple of defenders and teed up McNeill who slammed the ball home from the edge of the area.
Krupnik saved a long range shot from Rhianna Breen as Northern Ireland continued to press, while Kavaliova had an effort blocked down the other end and striker Marharyta Yurchuk missed the target. Belarus pulled one back on 59 minutes through Kavaliova.
Moore put a shot over the top before Krupnik kept out a couple of efforts from Niamh Boothroyd.
Belarus equalised in the 83rd minute through a long range effort from substitute Lizaveta Marchuk. The assist was provided by right back Lyubov Korneenko.
But Northern Ireland did not let their heads drop. Boothroyd steered a shot wide before McNeill’s free-kick grazed the woodwork.
Five minutes into added time substitute Daisy Conway hit the woodwork with a powerful header from a McNeill free-kick.
However, three minutes later her sister found the back of the net to give Northern Ireland a deserved last-gasp win. Substitute Jessica McGuinness delivered a corner into the area and Gracie Conway rose highest to head the ball into the top corner. It was a sweet finish.
The victory means Northern Ireland have retained their League A status for the second stage of qualifiers for UEFA WU19 Euro 2026.
Full-time: Northern Ireland WU19s 3-2 Belarus WU19s
Line-ups
Northern Ireland WU19s: Kate Smith, Zara Boyd, Tara Kerr, Anastasija Stanite, Ellen Hampton, Darcie McNeill (captain), Rhianna Breen, Clodagh Maguire, Gracie Conway, Niamh Boothroyd, Mia Moore.
Substitutes: (used) Zoe Knox, Jessica McGuinness, Daisy Conway; (unused) Abbie Smith, Lillie Horner, Laura Dowey, Eva Myles, Mia Reilly, Lucy Kelly.
Belarus WU19s: Katsiaryna Krupnik, Anhelina Vashchuk, Lyubov Korneenko, Valeryia Vasiluk, Kupriyanchik, Veranika Kaliuta (captain), Darya Pratasiuk, Hanna Hadzinskaya, Marharyta Yurchuk, Diana Katsynel, Anastasiya Kavaliova.
Substitutes: (used) Lizaveta Marchuk, Darya Myshlenik, Maryia Kasinenka, Anastasiya Poita; (unused) Valeryia Viarzhbitskaya (GK), Polina Aiduchyk (GK), Ulyana Babko, Evaleena Haffar, Antonina Mikheyenko.
