Netherlands Women Lose 3-2 to Ireland, Drop to Third

The Netherlands women's national team fell 3-2 to Ireland in Cork on a rain‑soaked evening. The defeat pushed Oranje from first to third place in their 2027 World Cup qualification group, meaning they must beat Poland and hope for a France‑Ireland draw to stay in contention. Before the match, coach Arjan Veurink had kept the side unbeaten and a 0-2 draw with France had left them on four points, with a clear path to the group title. The loss in Ireland shattered that momentum and left the team facing a play‑off scenario in the autumn. The match was played on a pitch reduced to the minimum dimensions, with strong wind and heavy rain compounding the difficulty. Ireland used the altered field to force the Dutch side into a more direct, high‑tempo game. Veurink responded by emphasizing speed, deploying Lineth Beerensteyn and Esmee Brugts on the flanks and Ella Peddemors in midfield. Beerensteyn, the 23‑year‑old Wolfsburg forward praised for her runs, started while veteran Daniëlle van de Donk remained on the bench.

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Ireland opened the scoring in the 19th minute after Lynn Wilms lost possession and was tackled. Kyra Carusa collected the loose ball and shot into the corner, beating goalkeeper Lize Kop, who reacted slowly. The Netherlands generated chances through Beerensteyn’s pace, a Wilms effort that struck the post, and a header from centre‑forward Romée Leuchter, but sloppy passing limited their threat. After halftime, Veurink introduced van de Donk and Jackie Groenen, the latter a Paris Saint‑Germain midfielder, to revive the attack. Groenen earned a penalty, which Kop saved, but Dominique Janssen equalised by tapping the rebound past the Irish keeper. A minute later, Abbie Larkin restored Ireland’s lead, again leaving Kop unable to prevent the goal. Victoria Pelova entered as a substitute and drew the match level at 2-2, but Ireland’s Amber Barrett headed in a high cross to make it 3-2 in the closing stages. The result leaves the Dutch side needing a win over Poland and a favorable result elsewhere to keep World Cup hopes alive.