Nine minutes into Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Finland on Tuesday, Megan Connolly gave Vera Pauw's side an ideal start.
Connolly's free kick from the edge of the box hit the crossbar, and on the way down found the back of the net via the Finnish goalkeeper's hand.
The Brighton player struck the ball despite free kick specialist, and Ireland captain, Katie McCabe being stood over the ball with her.
Megan Connolly goal vs Finland
Megan Connolly free-kick puts Ireland 1-0 up in Helsinki.
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/bLdKffHfdS
📺 Watch - https://t.co/1ncBhUXJWF
📻 Listen - https://t.co/UmJ7Ix2dxZ#FINIRL @FIFAWWC #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/pHAfbrMsVd
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 26, 2021
"We were just standing over it for what it felt like forever," Connolly told RTÉ about the goal.
"We just kept looking, 'Do we want an inswinger or go back post?' Last minute I said, 'I'll take it'.
"Katie said, 'What do you want?' And I said, 'I'll do it'.
"I had belief in myself that I'd practised it enough times that hopefully tonight would be the night. It was!
"It came at the perfect time. We were building.
"I've taken free kicks before. On this team, there are a lot of people who can take free kicks. Katie can take free kicks with her eyes closed. From that angle, it just felt that a right footer would suit it more."
Ireland went on to claim a vital three points with a 2-1 victory.