European World Cup Qualifiers: Ireland women beat France 4-1 while men defeat Russia 2-0

Ireland women beat France 4-1 to move closer to reaching the World Cup by booking a European Qualifier semi-final meeting against Belarus on Saturday.

Roisin Upton and Hannah McLoughlin scored with corner goals, before Zara Malseed and debutante Niamh Carey got their names on the scoresheet late on.

Ireland's men are one win away from World Cup qualification after seeing off Russia 2-0 in their quarter-final.

Ben Walker's double in Cardiff saw them win and they will face Italy or Wales.

Both finalists from the men's qualifying competition will progress to the 2023 World Cup in India.

Walker swooped in the first five minutes of each half with close-range finishes to left-wing crosses to make the difference.

Ireland put in a composed defensive performance, with Jamie Carr recording a clean sheet with some robust stops.

It took just four minutes for Ireland's men to get up and running with a brilliant turnover 60-metres out from goal was transformed into a rangy run from John McKee. He drifted left before clipping across goal where Walker was crouching low to deflect home.

One became two in the 33rd minute, this time Shane O'Donoghue was the creator with a quick free down the left corner and he picked a fine angle for his cross. Walker nipped in front of his marker and guided in another sweet first-time finish.

Meanwhile Ireland need to beat Belarus and win Sunday's European Qualifier final to seal a spot at next summer's World Cup, with only the winner of their tournament making the World Cup.

Belarus beat Russia 7-1 in their opening game of the tournament so should provide stiff opposition for Ireland women in their last-four encounter at 11:00 BST on Saturday.

In a relatively uneventful first half, Anna O'Flanagan forced the French keeper into an excellent save, before Ireland pulled away after the interval.

Sarah Hawkshaw won the corner which led to the opener, a fiercely struck penalty corner in the 32nd minute.

Ayeisha McFerran produced a stunning low glove stop from Marie Simon's corner chance but Ireland saw out the third quarter as the stronger team.

Sean Dancer's side grabbed their second from a corner as Upton's first-up shot was blocked but McLoughlin picked up the ball and unleashed a brilliant backhand shot which took a slight touch in off a defender.

Substitute Malseed got in on the act with another powerful strike on her reverse to make it 3-0 but Guusje van Bolhuis got one back a minute later from a French set piece.

Carey swooped to tip in a rebound from Ellen Curran's initial shot to extend her side's eventual winning margin.

"It's something we talked about, sticking to the process no matter how long the game went on at 0-0, or even if we concede," said Upton after the match.

"We were really pleased we stuck to the plan and broke through. We knew we needed to win corners; the execution in the first half wasn't so good so we had to pick it up and nail it. Getting on the scoresheet early in the second half settled everyone."