Amber Barrett lunged forward in the 89th minute and poked home the winner as the Republic of Ireland beat the Netherlands 3-2 in Cork, a result that kept their green path to the 2027 FIFA World Cup alive and set off wild celebrations around the ground.

The finish mattered because Ireland now go to Grenoble on Tuesday, June 9 with something concrete to play for. A victory over France would send them to a second successive World Cup as group winners, while this win over the Dutch has already guaranteed a seeded place in the autumn play-offs even if they come up short in France.

It was a five-goal thriller that swung back and forth before Barrett settled it. Kyra Carusa put Ireland ahead on 18 minutes, Dominique Janssen levelled from the penalty spot in the 69th minute, and Abbie Larkin restored the lead about sixty seconds later. When Victoria Pelova dragged the Netherlands back level with thirteen minutes remaining, Cork had the feel of a game slipping away until Barrett got the decisive touch at the end.

That late surge came in a match Ireland had to win to keep direct qualification in sight for the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and they did it with the kind of urgency that has defined their campaign. The result also brings a practical reward: even if France deny them top spot, Ireland will still go into the autumn play-offs as a seeded team, a far better position than they would have had without Barrett’s goal.

There was, though, a jarring note after the celebrations. Leanne Kiernan was shown a late red card after receiving two quick bookings, a reminder that the emotion of the night did not disappear with the final whistle. Ireland left Cork with a major result and a cleaner route to qualification, but not with every loose end tied off.

Now the question is simple and immediate. If Ireland can carry the same edge into Grenoble, they can still take the group and book their place at a second successive World Cup without needing the autumn route at all.