Poland 2 Ireland 3

Ireland captain Katie McCabe shoots to score her side's second goal during the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifier win over Poland at Polsat Plus Arena in Gdansk, Poland. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland captain Katie McCabe shoots to score her side’s second goal during the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifier win over Poland at Polsat Plus Arena in Gdansk, Poland. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland’s rocky road to a potential second successive World Cup surmounted a rutted Gdansk pitch and persistently rugged hosts.

A qualification win that should have been secured by the half-hour remained in doubt until the end, Ireland twice tossing away two-goal advantages.