Wales Women secure their first-ever place at the Euros

Republic of Ireland v Wales - UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round Two Second Leg
Hannah Cain of Wales celebrates scoring her team’s first goal from the penalty spot. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Wales won 2-1 away to Republic of Ireland for a 3-2 aggregate score to earn a place at the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euros in Switzerland next summer.

Ireland’s Denise O’Sullivan hit the crossbar from 20 yards, Wales keeper Olivia Clark turned away a Julie-Ann Russell curler.

Courtney Brosnan kept out a Rhiannon Roberts’ shot on the turn after a corner, then back at the other end Niamh Faheywent close from distance.

Five minutes into the second half, the referee was called to the VAR screen and gave a penalty against Republic of Ireland’s Anna Patten for handball from Woodham’s free-kick. Hannah Cain stepped up and calmly slotted Wales into the lead and 2-1 up on aggregate.

Angharad James could have doubled the lead on the counter attack but Brosnan made the block, then midway through the second half Ffion Morgan won possession and set up Carrie Jones for a clinical finish from outside the area.

Republic of Ireland v Wales - UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Play-Off Round Two 2nd Leg
Carrie Jones of Wales celebrates scoring her team’s second goal with team mate Angharad James. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The lead was halved with five minutes to go, Patten heading home at the second attempt, after Roberts had nodded the first attempt off the line.

Eight minutes were added, there was a swift check confirming that the ball had not cross the Welsh goal line, Lianne Keirnan was put through and Roberts blocked for a corner, then also denying O’Sullivan.

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