Poland await Ireland in Women's World Cup playoff decider

Denise O'Sullivan in action against Martyna Wiankowska of Poland during the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier match at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Ireland will square up against Poland in early December for a place at next year’s Women’s World Cup.

Brazil in June 2027 will be within Ireland’s sights as they’ve already beaten the Poles twice in April, 3-2 away and 1-0 at home.

The legs will likely be played on December 1 and 5, with the second leg at Lansdowne Road.

While Ireland have just kicked off against Kazakhstan at Pairc Uí Chaoimh, cruising with an 8-0 first leg lead, their potential opponents started earlier in Gdansk.

Belgium’s 1-0 advantage from Friday’s leg was soon cancelled out by Poland’s Barcelona star Ewa Pajor and although Belgium regained the lead in the tie through Amy Littel, Paulina Tomasiak made it 2-1 on the night after 67 minutes.

Into extra time, Belgium thought they’d nicked it by Jarne Teulings scoring on the stroke of half-time but the lethal Pajor forced penalties by grabbing her second with four minutes left.

Two misses by the Belgians in the shootout proved costly as Natalia Padilla converted the decisive spot-kick.

Poland, who sit seven places behind Ireland within the Fifa’s rankings at 29, have never qualified for the World Cup but did reach the last Euros in Switzerland where they lost to Germany (0-2) and Sweden (0-3) but beat Denmark (3-2).