Russia converted all of their spotkicks with Megan Smyth-Lynch and Lynn Craven seeing their attempts saved by goalkeeper Tatiana Shcherbak. Viktoriia Dubova would step-up for the final spotkick and her effort just evaded the grasp of Amanda McQuillan

Ireland were in dreamland after 16 minutes when Lauren Kelly met Eleanor Ryan-Doyle’s cross across the six-yard box to give Dave Connell’s side the lead. Ireland could not double their lead before half-time with McQuillan kept busy with a couple of attempts from Polina Organova.

The game looked almost settled with 26 minutes to go when Kelly returned the favour to her teammate with an exquisite through ball that cut the Russian defence in half with Ryan-Doyle sliding in to poke the ball past Shcherbak.

Ryan-Doyle could have made it three just minutes later when she found herself through again but could only poke the ball beyond the goalkeeper and wide for a goal kick.

Russia pulled a goal back with 73 minutes on the clock when Sofiia Shishkina met Khorosheva’s pull back on the edge of the six-yard box. Russia brought the game level four minutes later when Organova’s free kick took a deflection off the wall to beat McQuillan.

Ireland tried desperately to settle the game in normal time but could not break through the physical Russian defence and penalties ensued with Russia taking the Bronze Medal.

It ends an incredible journey for an Ireland team who finished 10th of 13 two years ago in Chinese Taipei and equals their best ever performance from 2007 when they were denied the Bronze medal again in the final match.

Ireland: McQuillan, Doyle, Dwyer, Fox, Craven, Mustaki, Farrelly (Gargan 78’), Kelly, Smyth-Lynch, Ryan-Doyle, Meaney

Referee: Hyeon Jeong (Korea)

2019 FISU Summer Universiade Women’s Football Results

Ireland 1-0 Brazil
Ireland 2-1 South Korea
Ireland 0-0 China (Ireland win 4-1 on penalties)
Ireland 0-5 North Korea
Ireland 2-2 Russia (Russia win 4-2 on penalties)