Northern Ireland are on the brink of an early exit from Euro 2022 following a 2-0 defeat by Austria in Southampton.
Katharina Schiechtl touched home Sarah Puntigam’s deflected free-kick on 19 minutes to give Austria the lead in their second Group A match.
Northern Ireland, playing in their first major tournament, grew in confidence as the game progressed but struggled to break down a stern Austrian defence before Katharina Naschenweng’s late second goal secured the win.
The fate of Kenny Shiels’ side could be sealed in the 20:00 BST kick-off between Norway and England, where Northern Ireland will be knocked out if the Norwegians do not beat the hosts.
Victory for Austria keeps Irene Fuhrmann’s in the hunt for a quarter-final place before their final game with Norway on Friday.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Austria
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Zinsberger
- 6Schiechtl
- 7Wenninger
- 11SchnaderbeckSubstituted forGeorgievaat 45′minutes
- 19Hanshaw
- 17Puntigam
- 18Hickelsberger-FüllerSubstituted forNaschenwengat 73′minutes
- 14HöbingerSubstituted forFeiersingerat 45′minutes
- 9Zadrazil
- 8Dunst
- 15BillaSubstituted forMakasat 85′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Georgieva
- 3Naschenweng
- 4Degen
- 5Schasching
- 10Feiersinger
- 13Kirchberger
- 16Eder
- 20Makas
- 21Kresche
- 22Enzinger
- 23Pal
Northern Ireland
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Burns
- 2McKennaSubstituted forMageeat 73′minutes
- 5NelsonSubstituted forMcDanielat 85′minutes
- 4Robson
- 15Holloway
- 14Wade
- 7McCarron
- 10FurnessSubstituted forAndrewsat 79′minutes
- 3Vance
- 8CallaghanSubstituted forMcGuinnessat 85′minutes
- 11McGuinnessSubstituted forWilsonat 80′minutes
Substitutes
- 6Hutton
- 12Flaherty
- 13Burrows
- 16Caldwell
- 17Rafferty
- 18McDaniel
- 19Wilson
- 20Andrews
- 21McGuinness
- 22Magee
- 23Turner
Live Text
Match ends, Austria Women 2, Northern Ireland Women 0.
Second Half ends, Austria Women 2, Northern Ireland Women 0.
Attempt saved. Laura Feiersinger (Austria Women) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the top right corner.
Corner, Austria Women. Conceded by Rebecca Holloway.
Attempt blocked. Sarah Puntigam (Austria Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Laura Feiersinger.
Goal! Austria Women 2, Northern Ireland Women 0. Katharina Naschenweng (Austria Women) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Sarah Puntigam.
Sarah Zadrazil (Austria Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Emily Wilson (Northern Ireland Women).
Foul by Lisa Makas (Austria Women).
Sarah Robson (Northern Ireland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Laura Feiersinger (Austria Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt blocked. Barbara Dunst (Austria Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Laura Feiersinger.
Substitution, Northern Ireland Women. Louise McDaniel replaces Julie Nelson.
Substitution, Northern Ireland Women. Caitlin McGuinness replaces Marissa Callaghan.
Substitution, Austria Women. Lisa Makas replaces Nicole Billa.
Offside, Austria Women. Verena Hanshaw tries a through ball, but Nicole Billa is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Barbara Dunst (Austria Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sarah Puntigam.
Corner, Austria Women. Conceded by Rebecca Holloway.
Attempt missed. Katharina Schiechtl (Austria Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Barbara Dunst with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Austria Women. Conceded by Demi Vance.
