Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-19 team produced a gutsy performance as they were defeated by Spain in a Euro qualifier played in Portugal.
Competition
UEFA WU19 Euro 2026 R2 qualifiers (League A Group 7)
Scoreline
Spain WU19s 3-0 Northern Ireland WU19s
Scorers
Spain: Ainoa Gomez (27’), Irune Dorado (32’), Zara Boyd OG (39’)
Venue
Nacional Do Jamor, Oeiras
Date
15 April 2026
Team News
Women’s Under-19s boss Gail Redmond made three changes to the team that started the narrow 1-0 defeat to Portugal in Northern Ireland’s first game in the second stage of qualifiers for UEFA WU19 Euro 2026.
For the match against top seeds Spain in the League A Group 7 mini tournament she brought in defenders Tara Kerr and Zoe Knox along with midfielder Niamh Hassan.
Dropping to the bench were defender Daisy Conway, midfielder Darcie McNeill and attacker Rhianna Breen.
How it happened
As expected Spain, who won the WU19 Euros title for the fourth time in a row last summer, pushed forward from the start.
They had the first chance of the game but midfielder Folgado missed the target.
Then Northern Ireland keeper Kate Smith pushed away a powerful header from forward Elene Gurtubay and kept out two efforts from Spain midfielder and captain Irune Dorado in quick succession.
Full-back Noa Jimenez missed a couple of chances before Smith repelled a free-kick from centre back Amaya and Gurtubay scooped an effort wide.
The defensive trio of Niamh Hassan, Anastasija Stanite and Ellen Hampton, supported by Emily Cassap, Zoe Knox and Clodagh Maguire in midfield, worked hard to close down the Spanish, however the deadlock was broken on 27 minutes when Jimenez’s cross found midfielder Ainoa Gomez and she applied the finishing touch from close range.
Five minutes later Spain went two up. A Folgado corner was met by Dorado and she headed the ball home.
On 39 minutes Moreno delivered a cross into the danger zone which was turned into her own net by defender Zara Boyd.
Just before the break Smith was called into action again to save an attempt from Spanish striker Iris Santiago.
Half-time: Spain WU19s 3-0 Northern Ireland WU19s
Northern Ireland stifled Spain after the break. Gracie Conway and Niamh Boothroyd worked hard up front by closing down the Spanish defence, while wing backs Tara Kerr and Zara Boyd closed players down quickly to stop crosses being delivered into the area.
The first chance of the second half did not come until the 59th minute when Spanish substitute Anna Quer put an effort wide.
Ten minutes later Smith made a good stop to deny another Spanish sub, Lucia Rivas, while Santiago dragged an effort wide.
Spain full-back Emma Moreno missed an opportunity before Smith thwarted substitute Lua Arufe.
Quer was denied by Smith before Northern Ireland captain Boothroyd had a shot blocked down the other end.
The Northern Ireland keeper was called into action again on 85 minutes when she kept out a Folgado attempt on goal.
Substitute goalkeeper Lily Jeffery entered the fray late on and produced an excellent stop to prevent Santiago from adding to Spain’s tally.
Afterwards Gail Redmond said: “Playing against the best teams in Europe exposes you to the level required. Today against Spain showed us both the challenge and the progress we’re making.
“What pleased me most was that we stayed true to our values. The players showed real discipline in our defensive structure and an outstanding work ethic. It’s never easy defending for long periods of time but we showed resilience and focus, especially in the second half.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted but experiences like this will make the players better. The foundations are strong.”
In their final game in the A7 group Northern Ireland’s WU19s will take on Hungary at Nacional Do Jamor. That match on Saturday (18 April) is scheduled to kick off at 5pm BST.
Full-time: Spain WU19s 3-0 Northern Ireland WU19s
Line-ups
Spain WU19s: Laia, Noa Jimenez, Emma Moreno, Nerea Carmona, Amaya, Irune Dorado (captain), Folgado, Ainoa Gomez, Iris Santiago, Alba Cerrato, Elene Gurtubay.
Substitutes: (used) Lucia Rivas, Anna Quer, Silvi Cristobal, Rosalia Dominguez, Lua Arufe; (unused) Anna Alvarez (GK), Julia Torres, Celia Segura, Paula Redruello Fernandez.
Northern Ireland: Kate Smith, Ellen Hampton, Tara Kerr, Anastasija Stanite, Zoe Knox, Zara Boyd, Niamh Hassan, Clodagh Maguire, Gracie Conway, Niamh Boothroyd (captain), Emily Cassap.
Substitutes: (used) Jessica McGuinness, Darcie McNeill, Rhianna Breen, Lucy Kelly, Lily Jeffery (GK); (unused) Lillie Horner, Mia Reilly, Daisy Conway, Lydia Thompson.
