Rachel Furness puts Northern Ireland Women ahead, with Daryna Apanaschenko equalising; Simone Magill scores winner for to take a lead into Tuesday's second leg in Belfast; Northern Ireland could qualify for first major tournament; Gemma Grainger loses first game in charge of Wales
Friday 9 April 2021 20:49, UK
Simone Magill fired Northern Ireland Women to a 2-1 win against Ukraine Women in the first leg of their Women's Euro 2022 play-off.
They got off to a dream start with an away goal from Liverpool midfielder Rachel Furness after only five minutes.
But the hosts drew level in the 22nd minute through a header from Daryna Apanaschenko.
Northern Ireland suffered another blow on the half-hour mark when Furness had to go off injured.
But they grabbed the winner midway through the second half through Everton's Magill to take a lead into Tuesday's second leg in Belfast.
Should Northern Ireland Women qualify next week, it will be their first appearance at a major finals.
Gemma Grainger's first match in charge of Wales ended in a 3-0 friendly defeat by Canada in Cardiff.
Deanne Rose latched onto a through-ball to slot the visitors into the lead after 25 minutes.
Canada, ranked 10th in the world, doubled their advantage just before the hour through Evelyne Viens.
And four minutes later Jessie Fleming found the net from outside the area to wrap up a convincing victory.
