Ireland’s qualification in perilous position after defeat in Ukraine

The good news?

Germany have nothing to play for. They've qualified for the Euros and their final game against Ireland means nothing to them. The bad news? It's Germany. A 1-0 loss in Ukraine has left Ireland's hopes of qualifying for their first ever major tournament on dodgy ground. Ukraine are now four points behind Vera Pauw's side but a game in hand and two games left against Greece and Montenegro means they could overtake the Irish and grab second place in the group. An Áine O'Gorman own goal was the difference in the end as Ireland were left to rue a number of missed chances, one was Rianna Jarrett's effort cleared off the line after a delicious ball from Heather Payne. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1319679017633697793 Payne, Denise O'Sullivan and Katie McCabe were all operating on a level that was dismantling the Ukraine backline but McCabe missed the penalty when she rattled the crossbar, not long after her free kick hit the bar too. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1319677951860969477 Payne was the pick of the bunch as her quick feet, her decision-making and her passing was taking players out of the game and creating chances but too many presented themselves without being put away. It means that if Ukraine win their remaining two games - and they've already beaten both teams already - Ireland will have to beat Germany in Tallaght in December to secure second place in the group. Second place guarantees them a playoff and the best three runners up qualify for the tournament outright. A point in Ukraine would've done that job for Ireland but it wasn't to be. Now it's all to play for but it's against the odds.

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