Wales and Ireland draw Women’s Euro qualifying play-off 1st leg

Wales v Republic of Ireland - UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round Two First Leg
Lily Woodham (2) of Wales celebrates scoring her team’s first goal against Republic of Ireland. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Wales broke their attendance record with 16,845 at Cardiff City Stadium for the 1-1 draw against Republic of Ireland in a UEFA Women’s Euro qualifying play-off final 1st leg.

Julie-Ann Russell put an early chance for the Irish over the bar, before Wales scored with their first effort.

Jess Fishlock’s cross was not dealt with and Lily Woodham finished convincingly coming in at the far post.

Ireland levelled 10 minutes from half time, Ruesha Littlejohn’s 30-yard effort coming back off the bar and in off keeper Olivia Clark.

Wales v Republic of Ireland - UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off 2R 1L
Ruesha Littlejohn of Republic of Ireland celebrates after her shot ends up an own-goal. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Ffion Morgan was close from the edge of the box early in the second half, Rhiannon Roberts threatened from a Ceri Holland corner but Littlejohn headed it over her own crossbar.

Caitlin Hayes’ volley on the turn was tipped over by Clark, then in added time Carrie Jones could not get enough on a whipped-in cross from Kayleigh Barton and took it away from Josie Green.

The second leg is in Dublin on Tuesday 3 December.

Big ties against Women’s Championship sides up for grabs

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