On Thursday evening, Izzy Atkinson featured for Republic of Ireland in their first warm-up match ahead of this summer's 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Vera Pauw's side took on Zambia at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin as they prepare for their first ever World Cup campaign, with their opponents also preparing to make their first appearance in the competition.
Atkinson was not originally named in Pauw's 31-player preliminary squad but is on the standby list, and was brought into the squad to replace Liverpool's Megan Campbell for this friendly match.
The Cooper Queens made the better start and took the lead in very fortuitous circumstances on 16 minutes, when Barbra Banda's cross ricocheted off the post and in off former Hammers goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
Girls in Green captain Louise Quinn went close with a header before the break in a game that lacked chances throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Pauw rang the changes at the break, with Atkinson one of five players to be replaced as Ireland went in search of turning the game around. Amber Barrett was one of those that came off the bench, and she slotted home and equaliser from the penalty spot only a minute after entering the contest.
Claire O'Riordan would head the Girls in Green infront on 64 minutes, while a third goal for Atkinson and company came shortly after when Barrett dinked a bouncing ball over the head of Zambian keeper Nali.
However, Racheal Kundananji would bring the African side back into the match and make for an interesting final ten minutes when she skipped beyond the defence and calmly finished under Brosnan to make it 3-2.
There would be no other opportunities, though, and Ireland would take the victory in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Pauw's side will face France in their final warm-up match before the World Cup begins, with that friendly taking place on Thursday 6 July in Dublin.
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