Republic of Ireland and Izzy Atkinson made it four wins from four games in UEFA Women’s Nations League B1, as they narrowly beat Albania 1-0 at Loro Boriçi Stadium.
The match was not without incident, as torrential rain in the first half in Shkoder meant that conditions were almost unplayable in the opening 45 minutes. The rain began 15 minutes into the contest, soon turning into a thunderstorm, and as such, attempting to play football became virtually impossible.
After the pitch had become waterlogged with the game still goalless, it was announced that the second half had been delayed. The action eventually restarted following a 90-minute delay after the water had been cleared from the pitch.
It took until the 88th minute for Ireland to find the net, with Atkinson, who entered the field on 62 minutes, involved in the move that would lead to the winning goal. Popping up on the right, the 22-year-old curled a ball into the feet of Denise O’Sullivan, who exchanged a one-two with Kyra Carusa before slotting home from close range to win the game for the away side
Next up for the Girls in Green will be UEFA Nations League B1 fixtures against Hungary and Northern Ireland in early December.
Elsewhere, Lisa Evans started for Scotland in their narrow 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands at Hampden Park in UEFA Women’s Nations League Group A1.
Esmee Brugts made it two goals in as many matches against Scotland on the hour mark, having also scored in the 4-0 demolition at Goffertstadion in Nijmegen on Friday, where Evans earned her 100th cap for her country. Evans was replaced by Bristol City’s Jamie-Lee Napier on 72 minutes in Tuesday evening's defeat.
Scotland will be hoping to pick up their first win of Nations League Group Stage when they take on Belgium and England in December.
Viviane Asseyi was an unused substitute as France drew 0-0 with Norway at Stade Auguste-Delaune II in Reims.
Herve Renard's side currently top of Nations League Group A2, and will take on Austria and Portugal in their remaining two fixtures next month.
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