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Northern Ireland secure historic Euro 2022 play-off spot

Kirsty McGuinness was among the scorers
Kirsty McGuinness was among the scorers

Northern Ireland secured a historic Women's European Championship play-off spot ahead of Wales with a 5-1 victory over the Faroe Islands at Seaview.

Jensa Kannuberg Torolvsdottir gave the visitors a shock lead in the fourth minute, but Rachel Furness headed an equaliser two minutes later and Kirsty McGuinness and Chloe McCarron added fine strikes just before the half-hour and hour marks respectively.

Having come off the bench to join her sister Kirsty on the field, Caitlin McGuinness then made it 4-1 in the 77th minute, and a Jacoba Langgaard own goal completed the rout with two minutes of normal time remaining.

With Northern Ireland, who have never taken part in a major championships or been in a play-off for one, guaranteed to retain second spot in Group C with victory, third-placed Wales were left disappointed despite beating Belarus 3-0 in Newport.

Kenny Shiels' side are now set to take part in a play-off next year ahead of the finals in England in 2022.

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