Wade started the game at left-back before moving to a more advanced left-wing role late in the game, a planned move from Oxtoby which paid dividends.

“We dropped her a bit deeper to give us something from the deeper spaces, with the view that she was going to go forward at the end of the game when they were tiring a bit to give us that bit of quality and balance,” she explained.

“What a goal, I’m really happy for her.”

The Australian, who admitted that Northern Ireland had practised penalties yesterday and were “prepared” for a shootout, conceded that her overriding feeling when the goal went in was relief.

“I felt like it was coming, and I’m really pleased with that reward for the effort,” she continued.

“We had to dig in when the momentum wasn’t with us and make changes to be able to grind out the result and I’m glad the players have a moment to enjoy.”

Now Northern Ireland’s attentions turn to preparing for the daunting task of the second-round play-off in November against Norway, who beat Albania 14-0 on aggregate in the first round.

“It’s a great challenge for this young group, one we won’t shy away from, and we said all along, if we want to get to a Euros we have to beat the best teams.

“The prep has already started, it started before this window, with such a short turnaround, we had to make sure we’re ready to go,” she added.

“We’ll enjoy tonight, and the rest of the week and we get going next week.”

SHAUN Wane is ready to live the dream he would have waited five years for – his England side to tear into the Aussies on home turf.

An apparent change of the Kangaroos’ heart is set to see an Ashes tour Down Under become a series on these shores in 2025.

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Wigan and Leeds’ Headingley are thought to be favourites to host Tests on each side of the Pennines, with Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London Stadium and Arsenal’s Emirates considered for the third in London.

But just hearing he could lead his country in an Ashes series here is music to boss Wane’s ears – he was meant to do so in 2020 before Covid-19 struck.

He said: “I was brought up on Australia and New Zealand in the 1970s and 1980s.

“I remember getting the job and being told we had an Ashes series against Australia and thinking, ‘I can’t believe how lucky I am.’

“Then it got cancelled and I was absolutely devastated, so to get this on again and for them to travel here is unbelievable.

“Having it here, making it a high-performance few weeks and giving ourselves the best chance of beating the best team in the world, really excites me.

“Doing that at home, in front of full houses, I’d love it. The NRL and Australia is the pinnacle.

“I want to pit myself against Mal Meninga and the Australian team. I’ve never done anything as big as that and it’s why I took this job.

“So for me personally, it would be the pinnacle of my career.”

While Australia in 2025 is in the future, present attentions are set on making the series against World Cup finalists Samoa a 2-0 whitewash.

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But he admitted any match – so far he has faced France and fellow Pacific islanders Tonga – is treated like the opponents are in green and gold.

Wane, who admitted prop Luke Thompson will play on Saturday, added: “We cannot defend and make the same errors against Australia and New Zealand as we did against Samoa on Sunday.

“We might not get away with it this Saturday against Samoa because they’re going to be a lot better, so we need to be smarter.

“But we need to keep this momentum going with a really good calendar. If we can build on this going into the Ashes and then the World Cup, I think we’ll be on a great roll.

“A really good international calendar is great for our sport.”

Owner Aurelio De Laurentiis had to right a few wrongs and hiring Conte as well as investing more than £100m in the summer transfer market is proving fruitful.

Osimhen may have departed but Conte has reignited Di Lorenzo’s confidence while Kvara is in talks for a new and improved contract. More importantly, Romelu Lukaku, Billy Gilmour, McTominay and a few others were brought in to strengthen the squad.

Gone are the days of Luciano Spalletti’s beautiful Napoli, this is the year of balance, of winning at all costs.

‘Conte has ‘Juventinised’ Napoli: what a mentality’ read one headline. “The Azzurri seek victory without compromise, without following a single path, without being slaves to beauty. It is a change of mentality,” wrote Sport del Sud.

When Conte first arrived, he was careful to temper expectations aware that his winning reputation had the fans dreaming of yet another Scudetto given he has won three with Juventus and one at Inter Milan, either side of guiding Chelsea to the Premier League title.

Eager to emphasise just how poorly Napoli performed the previous season, he noted the 48 goals conceded in the league, 27 of which were at home, how they finished 10th in the league and their failure to win a place in Europe.

By underscoring the details of their misery, Conte has not only bought time but ensured that should he turn it all around, he will be recognised for accomplishing an immense feat, a minor miracle.

Winning in Naples is always difficult but the manager’s plan revolves around addressing three key areas. The first is the mentality, the ‘Juventisation of Napoli’ if you will.

“What I can promise is seriousness, a word that is often underestimated,” he said.

“Seriousness in giving everything for Napoli, in transmitting my culture at work, my mentality.”

Conte is renowned for strengthening the mindset of a dressing room and it starts with instilling a serious atmosphere that demands professionalism, intensity and passion at all times.

Napoli must return to working as a collective, a unit that fights for one another, covers ground and remains determined until the very end. By battling together, bonds are forged, and success is celebrated as a team.

The fighting mentality has been Napoli’s Achilles heel for several years. Maurizio Sarri noted how he admired the fight of Juve’s players when battling them for the title as Napoli manager, while several journalists questioned whether the club would have indeed won the Scudetto under Spalletti had they been subjected to more pressure and a more determined rival pushing them until the final day of the season.

Two back-to-back 1-0 victories in Serie A have the media tipping their hats. By hook or by crook, Napoli are finding the way to accumulate the wins under Conte and the former captain and coach of Juventus is doing well to eradicate the Azzurri’s soft underbelly.

MANCHESTER UNITED may have to wait a number of weeks before Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim takes charge as their new manager, reports claim.

Sporting all but confirmed United will poach Amorim after announcing the Premier League giants are willing to pay his £8.3m release clause.

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The Lisbon giants did not confirm whether they had accepted the Red Devils’ advances in a letter to the Portuguese stock exchange but reports suggested it’s only a matter of time until a deal is finalised.

According to The Mail, however, talks have hit a snag regarding the Portuguese tactician’s notice period, which will last several weeks.

United are happy to meet the 39-year-old head coach’s clause but are currently negotiating when he can start.

Amorim may now not be in the dugout when the Premier League giants host Chelsea on Sunday.

In fact, the Sporting boss may not take charge until Man Utd visit Ipswich on November 24.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in charge against Leicester in the Carabao Cup last 16 on Wednesday at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy may also be in the dugout for the game with Chelsea, the Europa League encounter at home against PAOK and the Premier League clash with the Foxes on November 10 at Old Trafford.

Amorim may not assume his new position until after the international break, meaning club chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe may not get his man for another four weeks.

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Sporting issued the following statement: “Manchester United has expressed an interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, with the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD referring to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically the respective termination clause and the amount of 10m Euros.

“Manchester United has expressed an interest in paying Sporting SAD the amount of the aforementioned clause.”

Amorim broke his silence on the likelihood of taking over at Old Trafford during a press conference on Monday.

He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd] and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.

“I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”

United sacked Erik ten Hag after the club’s worst ever start in the Premier League era.

Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd

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WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.

Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.

But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.

Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.

He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. 

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The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.

And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.

Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.

Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.

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United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”

And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.

For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.

Trade season has arrived in the NFL.

A few notable trades have already taken place with the deadline approaching. Will any other team make a big move between now and the deadline? The trade deadline is on Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. ET. Here’s every notable trade that’s been made before deadline day.

Oct. 29

Minnesota Vikings acquire LT Cam Robinson from Jacksonville Jaguars

Key stats: The 29-year-old Robinson has started 91 games in his career. He’s allowed four sacks this season but just two pressures in the last five weeks.

What else is involved: The Jaguars will receive a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick that can become a fourth-round pick based on playing time. The Vikings will also receive a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder that can go away based on playing time.

Why it matters: Minnesota lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the season when he tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in Week 8. At 5-2, the Vikings are in the playoff hunt, while the 2-6 Jaguars are a postseason long shot. Robinson is in the final year of his contract. 

Baltimore Ravens acquire WR Diontae Johnson from Carolina Panthers

Key stats: Johnson has 30 catches on 58 targets for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games for the Panthers this season. It’s his first year in Carolina after an up-and-down five-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which included a Pro Bowl not in 2021.

Who else is involved: Carolina is also sending a 2025 sixth-round pick to Baltimore in exchange for the Ravens’ fifth-round pick.

Why it matters: The Ravens wasted little time boosting their offense after a surprising upset loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Johnson not only has deep familiarity with the AFC North — and especially the Steelers, the Ravens’ biggest rival and once again their biggest obstacle in the division — but also slots in nicely as a No. 2 wide receiver behind the speedy Zay Flowers for Lamar Jackson to throw to.

Oct. 28

Kansas City Chiefs acquire LB Josh Uche from New England Patriots

Key stats: Uche has two sacks, 13 total tackles, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits this season. The second-round pick out of Michigan in 2020 has primarily been a rotation piece throughout his career in New England, though he did have a career-high 11.5 sacks in a breakout 2022 campaign.

What else is involved: The Patriots are receiving a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Chiefs.

Why it matters: Much like the Patriots often were during the dynastic days of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the Chiefs have built a defense worthy of winning games on its own while still having an all-time great quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. Uche does not fill a need nearly as drastic as the Chiefs had at wide receiver before trading for DeAndre Hopkins, as Kansas City is led by its pass-rush and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones. But Uche still gives defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo some quality depth on the edge.

Oct. 23

Seattle Seahawks acquire LB Ernest Jones IV from Tennessee Titans for LB Jerome Baker

Key stats: Jones has recorded 44 total tackles and six stuffs in six games so far this season. Baker has recorded 37 total tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and 2.5 stuffs in five games this season.

What else is involved: The Titans are receiving a fourth-round pick from the Seahawks.

Why it matters: Even though the Seahawks went 4-3 through their first seven games, they’ve struggled against the run. They’ve allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (146.1) and yards per attempt against (five) through the first seven weeks of the season. Jones has been one of the league’s best tackles over the last few years, recording 145 total tackles in 2023 after posting a 114-tackle season in 2022. As for the Titans, the trade further solidifies their seller approach ahead of the trade deadline amid their 1-5 start to the season. The Titans acquired Jones from the Rams in August, giving up a fifth-round pick while surrendering a sixth-round pick in the deal.

Kansas City Chiefs acquire WR DeAndre Hopkins from Tennessee Titans

Key stats: 15 catches, 173 yards, 1 receiving touchdown in six games (three starts). Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. Has seven seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving. Led NFL in touchdown catches in 2017, with 13.

What else is involved: The Chiefs are sending a conditional fifth-round pick to the Titans.

Why it matters: The 32-year-old Hopkins gives QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs a much-needed target in a WR corp that has been hit by injuries. The Chiefs lost wide receiver Marquise Brown, one of their top free-agent signings, to shoulder surgery prior to the start of the season. Second-year star Rashee Rice sustained a season-ending knee injury last month against the Chargers, and veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is out after hurting his hamstring in last Sunday’s win over the 49ers.

Oct. 15

New York Jets acquire WR Davante Adams from Las Vegas Raiders

Key stats: 18 receptions, 209 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown in three games. Recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last four seasons.

What else is involved: The Jets are sending the Raiders a conditional 2025 third-round pick. The pick will become a second-round pick if Adams is named to an All-Pro team or he’s on the active roster if the Jets make it to the AFC Championship Game.

Why it matters: The move reunites one of the game’s best receivers over the last five seasons with the quarterback he’s had the most success with. Adams helped Aaron Rodgers win MVP in the 2020 and 2021 seasons when bothe were with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets’ offense hasn’t gotten off to a great start, ranking 22nd in total offense (304.3 yards per game) and 23rd in scoring (18.8 points per game) through the first six weeks. Adams joins a wide receiver corps that has Garrett Wilson and fellow ex-Packer Allen Lazard, who have had some success catching passes from Rodgers this season.

[Read more: Davante Adams trade roundtable: Who won and what it all means going forward]

Jets acquire Davante Adams for a conditional 3rd-round pick

Buffalo Bills acquire WR Amari Cooper from Cleveland Browns

Key stats: 24 receptions, 250 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns. Recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons.

What else is involved: The Bills are sending the Browns a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick. Buffalo will also receive a 2025 sixth-round pick.

Why it matters: After trading Stefon Diggs in the offseason, the Bills never really replaced him. They selected wide receiver Keon Coleman early in the second round of the NFL Draft and made a couple of low-investment signings at the position (Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins). While the Bills are off to a 4-2 start, Khalil Shakir is their leading receiver this season with just 20 receptions for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper instantly provides Josh Allen with the star-level top-tier wide receiver he’s lacked since Diggs’ departure.

[Read more: What trading for Browns WR Amari Cooper means for Josh Allen, Bills]

Does Amari Cooper put Bills on the same level as Chiefs?

Minnesota Vikings acquire RB Cam Akers from Houston Texans

Key stats: 147 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 1 rushing touchdown in five games. 

What else is involved: The Vikings are sending the Texans a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. Minnesota is also receiving a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick. 

Why it matters: Vikings starting running back Aaron Jones suffered a hip injury in Week 5 and his status for the next few games is uncertain. Akers also has familiarity with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. He played under him for two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams when O’Connell was the offensive coordinator, and then Akers reunited with O’Connell in Minnesota last season, where he rushed for 138 yards on 3.6 yards per carry and a touchdown in six games after being dealt there from the Rams last season. While Akers had played in five games with 40 rushing attempts for the Texans this year, his role there was set to diminish following the return of Joe Mixon from a Week 2 hip injury.

Oct. 14

Seattle Seahawks acquire DL Roy Robertson-Harris from Jacksonville Jaguars

Key stats: 7 combined tackles, 2 sacks in six games

What else is involved: The Seahawks are sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Jaguars.

Why it matters: After starting the season 3-0, the Seahawks have struggled defensively over their last three games. They rank 27th in run defense (144.6 rushing yards per game) following Week 6. Rookie defensive tackle Bryon Murphy has also missed the Seahawks’ last three games. 

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Such ambition initially raised expectations of a brighter future at the club. But, as Ratcliffe has admitted, on-field results must improve and, now that the decision to retain Ten Hag in the summer has been exposed as a mistake, there will inevitably be renewed focus on Ineos’ record across their other sports teams.

French club Nice, which Ratcliffe bought in 2019, qualified for the Europa League last season. But in four full campaigns in charge, he is yet to see Nice finish higher than fifth in Ligue 1, and they have twice finished ninth. They are now on to their seventh manager under Ineos ownership.

Lausanne, meanwhile, bought by Ratcliffe in 2017, are eighth in the Swiss Super League, having been relegated twice during that period, before then gaining promotion on both occasions.

Despite one of the biggest budgets in cycling, Ineos Grenadiers have proved a shadow of the all-conquering Team Sky which Ratcliffe took over in 2019, with no major win for several years.

The billionaire has enjoyed more success in sailing where his Ineos Britannia boat reached the America’s Cup – the first time a British team has been in the final since 1964, but then lost a one sided-final to holders New Zealand.

But it is at United that Ratcliffe and his executives will ultimately be judged when it comes to their investments in sport.

Perhaps the patience Ineos displayed with their sailing team influenced the decision to give Ten Hag time. Maybe the cost of sacking the manager was also a factor.

To be fair to Ratcliffe, back in February, he tried to temper expectations by warning that it could take three years before United were a true force again. The task, he said, was “not just a simple short-term fix. We have to walk to the right solution, not run to the wrong one.”

Sadly for Ten Hag, there was a limit to the patience of his boss.

Reviving United and returning them to the top of English football has become one of sport’s greatest quests.

Less than a year into their attempt at doing so, it is way too early to judge Ineos’ record at Old Trafford, and to assess their strategy. Only time will tell if United eventually benefits from the petro-chemical company’s learnings from their other sports investments, as Brailsford has suggested.

It is too soon to know whether the decision-making structure at the club – with the Glazers now shielded from scrutiny – will prove successful, or if tensions may emerge.

But some of the goodwill Ratcliffe and his executives enjoyed in their early months has been lost, and they are now under intense pressure to get their first managerial appointment right.

For the first time perhaps, they now realise the truly daunting scale of the challenge that confronts them.