Tyler Toland made two goal-line clearances in the first half as the Republic of Ireland clung on for dear life to earn a controversial away draw against European champions Netherlands in Nijmegen.
Colin Bell’s team secured a heroic scoreless draw with the Dutch at the Stadion de Goffert.
Twice in the first half, 16-year-old Toland cleared off the line to keep Netherlands at bay.
Toland was starting a senior game for the second time having featured in last month’s 2-0 win over Slovakia.
The St Johnston woman played the full 90 minutes.
Milford’s Amber Barrett was also included in the starting line-up and was to the fore in the opening 45 minutes.
Barrett was put through after just six minutes, but a Dutch defender got in to put her off at the vital moment.
In the 22nd minute Barrett – after connecting with a Katie McCabe pass – fired wide of the mark.
The Girls in Green were camped in for the most part and Marie Houihan, the Irish ‘keeper, made a big save on the half-hour while Miedema’s shot from distance clattered off a post.
Martens and Spitse had chances for the Dutch, but Ireland were content to absorb what was thrown at them.
A sell-out crowd of 12,000 was growing edgy and restless as Scott, Hourihane and Duggan combined to keep the gates locked on the Irish rearguard.
Four minutes from the end, the Netherlands had a big penalty call that was waved away and Ireland survived.
Miedema threatened again, but a low show was off target. Sarina Wiegman’s team were further incensed when just two additional minutes were added at the end.
As they vented their anger, Ireland were off celebrating a famous result against a side ranked 26 places above them.
Roma McLaughlin was an unused substitute for Ireland tonight.
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