Half-time report: Cool Carusa hands Ireland interval lead

Kyra Carusa of the Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring her side's first goal. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Republic of Ireland 1 Netherlands 0 

Half-time at a wet and miserable Páirc Uí Chaoimh, yet the majority of the 10,000 Irish fans or so in attendance are smiling as Ireland lead 1-0 against the Netherlands in their Women's World Cup qualifier.

Kyra Carusa’s cool finish in the 19th minute has Ireland halfway to a historic victory, which would make it three wins out of three for the Girls in Green down the Páirc and would put them one win away (in their last match away to France on Tuesday) from qualifying automatically for the World Cup in Brazil next year.

Reusha Littlejohn’s excellent pass picked out Abbie Larkin and her precise through ball found the run of Carusa just inside the penalty area, allowing the forward to roll the ball into the bottom right corner of the net at the Blackrock end.

There is still a lot of work to do, though as the Netherlands have caused problems on numerous occasions at the other end, including an effort that rattled the crossbar.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe (capt); Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn, Marissa Sheva; Abbie Larkin; Kyra Carusa.

Netherlands: Lize Kop; Lynn Wilms, Dominique Janssen (capt), Veerle Buurman, Janou Levels; Damaris Eggurola, Ella Peddemors, Wieke Kaptein; Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn, Romee Leuchter.

Referee: Katalin Kulcsar (Hungary).