Amber Barrett's breakaway goal sent Republic of Ireland to the World CupScotland missed out on a place at the Women's World Cup as the Republic of Ireland crushed their hopes at Hampden to reach the country's first ever finals.
The Scots were made to pay for Caroline Weir's missed penalty before the break when substitute Amber Barrett hared through on the break to slot past goalkeeper Lee Gibson.
Ireland's ruthlessness summed up the match in which they had little possession, but created the better scoring chances as Scotland struggled.
Having qualified for the European Championships in 2017 and World Cup two years later, the defeat means the Scots will miss out on two consecutive major championships - a bitter pill to swallow for head coach Pedro Martinez Losa and his players, who were dejected at the full-time whistle.
But for Ireland it was sheer joy on the Hampden turf as Vera Pauw's squad marked themselves as trailblazers for their country by qualifying for the finals in Australia and New Zealand next summer.
It was an incredibly hard-fought and deserved victory, made all the more emotional by the fact it was Barrett, from County Donegal, who scored the decisive goal days after an explosion killed 10 people in Creeslough. in her county.
The Republic were organised and disciplined out of possession, and more direct and threatening in attack.
Somehow they failed to go ahead before the break when Scotland defender Sophie Howard and goalkeeper Gibson made three blocks in 10 seconds to deny three Ireland players from point-blank range.
Aine O'Gorman also missed a header from five yards out. The turning point for Scotland will be Weir's penalty miss, awarded when a hand was used to block Martha Thomas' goal-bound shot.
The Real Madrid midfielder's effort was tame, as Republic goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan dived to her left to make a smart save.
From there, Scotland had so much of the ball but toiled to fashion clear openings. Fiona Brown's lunging shot at the back post went close, but even as they threw bodies up in the dying minutes, Erin Cuthbert's shot went straight at Brosnan and Howard headed wide.
The Scotland players' pain was clear at the end, but the reality is they have struggled to create chances throughout their qualifying campaign.
They were made to pay the ultimate price, and will have to watch from home as others take to the main stage next for the second summer in a row.
Player of the match - Amber Barrett
It has to go to the matchwinner, who stayed ice cool at the key momentScotland out thought on own patch - analysis
The Republic of Ireland could barely have dreamt of their game plan going any better. They set up with a back five and squeezed Scotland's key players in the middle of the pitch, and were content to let the home side go wide.
When Scotland did get any joy on the wings, Ireland's back three of Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, and Diane Caldwell defended crosses with ease. Then, we then did get the ball they unsettled Scotland.
Pauw's side were purposeful and direct and caused problems, with the goal coming from robbing possession in midfield and playing one pass in behind.
As for Scotland, the same problems which have lingered throughout this campaign were evident. Martinez Losa wants his players to play out, and keep possession, but they do not create enough.
Too often their possession is sterile, and they don't get enough bodies into the box.
Playing Cuthbert, arguably Scotland's most creative player, as the holding midfielder seems a waste when there are others who could fill in and allow the Chelsea player to push forward.
The bottom line is not reaching the World Cup after two home play-off ties is a failure. It's not just a case of not playing in the biggest tournament in the women's game, but all the exposure that comes with it and opportunity to grow on and off the pitch.
The women's game is developing all over the world and Scotland need to keep up if they're to make the most of it.
Line-ups
Scotland
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Gibson
11Evans15Howard4Corsie2Docherty
8Kerr22Cuthbert
7Brown9Weir18Emslie
20Thomas
1Gibson11EvansSubstituted forGrimshawat 66'minutes15Howard4Corsie2DochertySubstituted forBeattieat 82'minutes8KerrSubstituted forGrahamat 75'minutes22Cuthbert7BrownSubstituted forMukandiat 66'minutes9Weir18Emslie20ThomasSubstituted forHarrisonat 75'minutesSubstitutes
3Mukandi5Beattie6Clark10Graham12Fife13McLauchlan14Hanson16Murray17Harrison19Clelland21Cumings23GrimshawR. of Ireland
Formation 5-4-1
1Brosnan
17Finn5Fahey4Quinn7Caldwell6Campbell
13O'Gorman12Agg10O'Sullivan11McCabe
14Payne
1Brosnan17Finn5FaheyBooked at 13mins4Quinn7Caldwell6Campbell13O'Gorman12Agg10O'Sullivan11McCabeBooked at 78mins14PayneSubstituted forBarrettat 66'minutesBooked at 75minsSubstitutes
2Scott3Mustaki8Carusa9Barrett15Quinn16Moloney18O'Riordan19Nolan20Noonan21Grant22Farrelly23WalshLive Text
Match ends, Scotland 0, Republic of Ireland Women 1.
Second Half ends, Scotland 0, Republic of Ireland Women 1.
Foul by Claire Emslie (Scotland).
Courtney Brosnan (Republic of Ireland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Rachel Corsie (Scotland) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Emma Mukandi with a cross.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Jamie Finn.
Attempt blocked. Erin Cuthbert (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Lucy Graham (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Caroline Weir.
Attempt missed. Sophie Howard (Scotland) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Christy Grimshaw following a set piece situation.
Attempt missed. Christy Grimshaw (Scotland) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Erin Cuthbert following a set piece situation.
Lucy Graham (Scotland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Lily Agg (Republic of Ireland Women).
Attempt blocked. Claire Emslie (Scotland) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sophie Howard.
Substitution, Scotland. Jen Beattie replaces Nicola Docherty.
Attempt blocked. Abi Harrison (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Diane Caldwell.
Attempt missed. Lucy Graham (Scotland) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Emma Mukandi.
Katie McCabe (Republic of Ireland Women) is shown the yellow card.
Christy Grimshaw (Scotland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Katie McCabe (Republic of Ireland Women).
