Emily Murphy nets last-gasp winner as Ireland fight back to beat Turkey

Press Association

Substitute Emily Murphy’s first senior international goal handed Ireland a 2-1 comeback victory in Turkey to secure second spot in Nations League Group B2.

Murphy’s 89th-minute winner, which came after Busem Seker’s own goal had cancelled out Kader Hancar’s opener at the Esenler Stadium sent Ireland into Tuesday night’s home clash with group leaders Slovenia just three points adrift.

After a bright start by Ireland, it was the hosts who mustered the first attempt on goal with 11 minutes gone when central defender Sejde Abrahamsson surged upfield and tested keeper Courtney Brosnan from a tight angle.

Lucy Quinn forced a first save of the game from Selda Akgoz with a dipping long-range effort, but the game burst into life as the half-time whistle approached, Brosnan saving from Miray Cin before Akgoz had to be at her best to keep out Katie McCabe’s curled attempt with Arsenal’s Champions League winner seeing her half-volley from the resulting corner blocked on the line.

However, it was Turkey who took the lead three minutes after the restart when Hancar turned the ball into Ilayda Civelek’s run and then surged into the box to convert her cross.

The visitors were level with 10 minutes remaining when Seker headed a Megan Campbell long throw into her own goal, and they won it at the death, Murphy pouncing on Abrahamsson’s slip to snatch the points.