Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s defeated Luxembourg by four goals to one in a Euro qualifier staged in North Macedonia.
Competition
WU17 Euro 2026 Round Two Qualifiers
Scoreline
Luxembourg WU17s 1-4 Northern Ireland WU17s
Scorers
Luxembourg: Ilena Bojanovic (90+3’)
Northern Ireland: Maja Stachura (40’), Emilee Leacock (55’, 85’), Annarose Robinson (79’)
Venue
Stadium Kukus, Strumica
Date
28 February 2026
Team News
Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s are currently competing in Euro qualifiers despite being assured of a place in this year’s WU17 Euros by virtue of being hosts.
The Irish Football Association will stage the UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship from 3 to 16 May.
As preparation for the tournament, Northern Ireland’s WU17s are taking part in stage two of the qualifiers, competing in League B Group 2 along with top seeds and hosts North Macedonia, Luxembourg and Georgia.
WU17s boss Gail Redmond has chosen a 20-strong squad for round two of the qualifiers.
How it happened
Northern Ireland pushed forward from the start in their first game in the mini tournament in North Macedonia.
In the opening exchanges a brilliant ball from Chloe Beckinsale found Emilee Leacock who then slipped it to Charlotte Havern and her on-target shot was smothered well by Luxembourg keeper Adriana Pietrasik David.
In the ninth minute Leacock and Maja Stachura combined well to set up Havern, however her shot was blocked.
Four minutes later Stachura beat a defender and shot just wide. Then Havern curled a shot past the post and Daisy Moore had a shot blocked.
On 26 minutes Beckinsale and Leacock linked well to set up Abbie Smyth, whose effort went inches past the post.
Luxembourg had their first clearcut chance on 33 minutes. Ifeoma Agoha saved well from Lolita Pollastro.
On 40 minutes Northern Ireland deservedly took the lead. Smyth found Leacock with a lovely cross. Leacock played the ball to Stachura and she slammed it home from close range.
Half-time: Luxembourg WU17s 0-1 Northern Ireland WU17s
Northern Ireland were on top once again after the break.
The Luxembourg keeper made a good stop from a Leacock shot, however in the 55th minute Leacock found the back of the net. She latched on to a Beckinsale ball over the top and produced a neat run and finish.
Luxembourg tried to respond but found Mirjana Karrabecaj, Holly Hilton and Sara Deveny in imperious form in the Northern Ireland defensive line.
Redmond’s side extended their lead through substitute Annarose Robinson with a fierce strike on 79 minutes.
Leacock grabbed her second of the game in the 85th minute. Smyth threaded the ball through to her fellow attacker and she applied the finishing touch.
Luxembourg netted a consolation in injury time through substitute Ilena Bojanovic.
Next up for Northern Ireland is a qualifier against Georgia at the same venue at noon on Tuesday (3 March). Georgia lost 1-0 against North Macedonia in their first game in the mini tournament.
Full-time: Luxembourg WU17s 1-4 Northern Ireland WU17s
Line-ups
Luxembourg: Adriana Pietrasik David, Alissa Weirich, Lou Capolungo, Margot Majerus, Amy Peter, Joyce Giesteira (captain), Kathi Vaessen, Charlotte Bourgnon, Lolita Pollastro, Amelie Feil, Lena Bertolotti.
Substitutes: (used) Lauren Sabus, Laurie Kohll, Ilena Bojanovic, Lucy Simoes, Emma Rolles; (unused) Nuriyah Fernandes Da Costa (GK), Lilly Magnani, Chayenne Kremer, Jaycee Blaschette.
Northern Ireland: Ifeoma Agoha, Daisy Moore, Holly Hilton, Chloe Beckinsale (captain), Mirjana Karrabecaj, Heidi Curran, Emilee Leacock, Charlotte Havern, Maja Stachura, Abbie Smyth, Sara Devany.
Substitutes: (used) Grace Steele, Annarose Robinson, Zion Donnan, Grace Campbell, Ellie McGarrigle; (unused) Leah Hepburn, Ava Hurl, Grace Guest.
