Northern Ireland WU17s ease to win over Luxembourg

Northern Ireland’s Women’s Under-17s dominated the game as they defeated the hosts by two goals to one in a Euro qualifier staged in Luxembourg.

Competition

WU17 Euro 2026 Round One Qualifiers

Scoreline

Northern Ireland WU17s 2-1 Luxembourg WU17s

Scorers

Northern Ireland: Abbie Smyth (63’, 83’)

Luxembourg: Enya Riggio (71’)

Venue

Terrain Kuerzwenkel, Consdorf

Date

9 November 2025

Team News

The Irish Football Association is set to stage the UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship from 3 to 16 May next year – and Northern Ireland qualify for the tournament as hosts.

However, as preparation for the 2026 Euros, Northern Ireland’s WU17s have been taking part in the qualifiers this month – in a Round One mini tournament in Luxembourg.

They narrowly lost 2-1 to Turkiye in game one before taking on Luxembourg in their final game in League B Group 4.

WU17s head coach Gail Redmond made three changes to the 11 that started against the Turks. Madison Bell replaced Sophie Glover in nets, while Annarose Robinson and Ruby Adair were also brought in, with Grace Campbell and Maja Stachura dropping to the bench.

How it happened

Northern Ireland dominated possession from the start. Midfielder Charlotte Havern fired a free-kick inches over the bar as early as the second minute, and then she played in Ruby Adair, whose shot went just wide of the post.

Emilee Leacock had an effort on goal before captain Chloe Beckinsale got on the end of a Havern free-kick, however her header was pushed out by Luxembourg keeper Adriana Pietrasik David, who minutes later did well to keep out a long range strike from Mirjana Karrabecaj.

On 33 minutes Abbie Smyth dribbled around three defenders before unleashing a shot from the edge of the penalty area which hit the crossbar.

Northern Ireland keeper Madison Bell was called into action in the 38th minute, pushing away a well-struck free-kick from Lana Morais Thill.

Just before half-time the Luxembourg keeper had to be alert to thwart a close range shot from Annarose Robinson, and from the resulting corner Beckinsale guided a header wide.

Half-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 0-0 Luxembourg WU17s

It was all Northern Ireland once again after the break. Smyth, Havern and Robinson all put efforts wide before Smyth opened the scoring in the 63rd minute, pouncing on a loose ball and curling it into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

They almost had a second minutes later when Stachura slipped the ball to Havern, however the Luxembourg keeper got down well to keep out the midfielder’s shot.

On 71 minutes, against the run of play, the hosts equalised when substitute Enya Riggio ran through and finished well.

Two minutes later substitute Ella Wasson forced a save out of Pietrasik David, who then saved a Beckinsale header.

On 83 minutes Northern Ireland deservedly grabbed what proved to be the winner. Havern found Smyth with a superb pass and the attacker rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the net.

In the closing stages Bell saved a free-kick from substitute Lena Bertolotti, while the Luxembourg keeper thwarted an attempt from Wasson.

The win meant Northern Ireland finished second in the group behind the Turks (two wins out of two) and will compete in League B once again in the spring when seven group winners from League A will book their places in the finals in Northern Ireland.

After the match Redmond said: “I was really pleased with the application and desire. We created many chances and scored two quality goals.

“This week has been another opportunity for growth for the team. We had to overcome many challenges on and off the pitch. I am really proud of the resilience and maturity shown throughout many difficult moments.”

Full-time: Northern Ireland WU17s 2-1 Luxembourg WU17s

Line-ups

Northern Ireland: Madison Bell, Daisy Moore, Holly Hilton, Chloe Beckinsale (captain), Heidi Curran, Mirjana Karrabecaj, Charlotte Havern, Emilee Leacock, Abbie Smyth, Ruby Adair, Annarose Robinson.

Substitutes: (used) Grace Steele, Maja Stachura, Ella Wasson, Charley McMullan, Grace Campbell; (unused) Sophie Glover (GK).

Luxembourg: Adriana Pietrasik David, Loana Fernandes, Silvia Conte, Marie Olinger, Lana Morais Thill, Amy Peter, Joyce Giesteira, Carmen Kirps, Amelie Feil, Ines Martins, Hannah Dietrich (captain).

Substitutes: (used) Kathi Vaessen, Enya Riggio, Lynn Da Silva Matos, Lena Bertolotti, Lou Capolungo; (unused) Lara Herber (GK), Alissa Weirich, Esther Dos Santos Pereira, Margot Majerus.

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