UEFA Women’s Championship: Northern Ireland finish second in group with Bosnia-Herzegovina win
Northern Ireland secured second place in their Euro 2025 qualifying group with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at Windsor Park.
Following an entertaining first half where both teams struggled with finishing, Joely Andrews broke the deadlock shortly after half-time for Tanya Oxtoby’s side.
Substitute Lauren Wade then doubled the lead in the 67th minute, ensuring Northern Ireland ended the international window with two wins from two matches.
They will learn their opponent for the two-legged play-off tie in October when the draw is made on Friday.
Lively start at Windsor
Oxtoby made two changes to the team that defeated Malta 2-0 last week, bringing in Joely Andrews and Danielle Maxwell to replace Louise McDaniel and Nadene Caldwell.
The match started energetically, similar to the game in Malta, with early attempts from Emina Ekic and Keri Halliday both missing the target.
Laura Rafferty had a close attempt cleared off the line after connecting with an in-swinging corner. She had another chance moments later, heading a Rebecca Holloway corner just wide.
Ekic posed a threat at the other end, weaving into the box and seeing her low shot deflected into the side-netting.
Danielle Maxwell’s header forced Bosnia goalkeeper Almina Hodzic to make a save, tipping it beyond the far post.
As the first half drew to a close, Northern Ireland intensified their efforts. Andrews hit the crossbar, and Hodzic saved a powerful strike from Holloway.
Northern Ireland started the second half strongly, scoring just two minutes after the restart. Kerry Beattie dropped deep to receive the ball, passed to Casey Howe on the left, who then found Andrews in the box to score.
Bosnia-Herzegovina pressed forward to equalize, with Selma Kapetanovic and Ekic both denied by goalkeeper Burns.
Northern Ireland doubled their lead in the 67th minute due to poor defending. Marija Milinkovic failed to intercept Brenna McPartland’s through ball to Wade, who raced through and scored past Hodzic.
Ena Sabanagic had a long-range shot tipped over the bar by Burns, as Northern Ireland secured their second consecutive clean sheet to see out the game.