Wales qualified for their first ever major tournament in dramatic fashion, as they defeated Ireland 2-1 in Dublin to reach Euro 2025.
After a scrappy first half, Hannah Cain put Wales ahead with a penalty, before Carrie Jones doubled the advantage midway through the second half.
Anna Patten clawed one back with four minutes remaining, and Ireland put Wales under relentless pressure, but Cymru held on to record a famous win.
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Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson elected to make two changes from the draw in Cardiff on Friday night. Josie Green came in at wing-back instead of Ceri Holland, while Hannah Cain was given the nod up top over Ffion Morgan.
Wilkinson’s opposite number, Eileen Gleeson, made one change in her Irish side, with Jessie Stapleton coming in for Lily Agg.
Once again, it seemed the magnitude of the occasion was crystal clear to every player, and that made the opening quarter an incredibly cagey affair.
When things calmed down, it was Ireland who were in control, and almost went ahead through Denise O’Sullivan’s strike from distance, but the ball cannoned back of the crossbar. It was almost a carbon copy of Ruesha Littlejohn’s goal in Cardiff, but this time for Wales, luck was on their side.
More Irish pressure followed. Katie McCabe’s shot flashed past the post, while Olivia Clark was called into action to deny Julie-Ann Russell in style.
It almost felt like Wales needed to ride through the opening half hour, just to get a feel of the partizan crowd and to get used to the Irish press. After that, they were then able to test Courtney Brosnan.
Lily Woodham’s free kick had the Everton keeper scrambling, but she pushed the ball past the post expertly. From the resulting corner, Ireland failed to clear their lines, and that allowed Rhiannon Roberts to hit the ball on the turn, only for Brosnan to save well again.
Then a huge talking point. Already on a yellow card, McCabe brought down Rachel Rowe cynically. The Arsenal star looked apologetic on the floor as the Spanish referee trundled over, but somehow, she escaped a second booking.
The deadlock was almost broken by an unexpected source, as Niamh Fahey hit a rasping volley from 25-yards out, but the ball went just wide.
A half full of nerves for both sides, and despite Ireland having the better of the chances, Wales were hanging in there.
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Right at the start of the second half, a golden opportunity for Wales. VAR picked up Anna Patten punching the ball away from a free kick, and after a consultation at the monitor, a penalty was given.
The Aviva turned into a cauldron of noise, and it was enough to test the nerve of even the most veteran of players. But Hannah Cain was the calmest person in the ground, and she sent Brosnan the wrong way to put Wales ahead on the night, and crucially, in the tie.
Ireland responded by pouring players forward, but that was allowing Wales to find space behind them. A quick counter saw Angharad James in a one-on-one situation, but Brosnan denied her.
A glorious chance spurned like that can sometimes cost teams, but Wales never backed down, and on their next counter, they found a second goal.
Lily Woodham made a good run inside, and her through ball found Carrie Jones. Shrugging off Fahey with ease, Jones bared down on goal and found the bottom corner. Pure pandemonium. Pure joy.
For once, and it’s a feeling rarely felt by any Welsh person, there was a bit of confidence. Ireland couldn’t break down the red wall, and with time ticking, Switzerland was calling Wales’ name. But you all know this country doesn’t do things the easy way.
With four minutes remaining, Wales failed to clear a McCabe corner, and despite Roberts heading a clearance off the line, Patten headed home to reduce the deficit.
What followed in the eight minutes of added time was utter chaos. Ireland thought they pegged one back, but somehow, a Welsh shirt cleared the ball in the nick of time.
It felt like an exercise in patience at times, and a test of mental fortitude, but finally, the referee blew her whistle. Wales make history and qualify for their first ever major tournament.
Wales’ next game will come in February, as they travel to take on Italy in their first Nations League game back in League A.
Player of the Match: Josie Green
When you’re up against Katie McCabe, you have to be switched on for 90 minutes and beyond and be ready for that physical challenge. Green accepted that task with open arms, and never gave the Ireland captain a moments piece. In truth, the whole team should be praised, but Green was unbelievable.
Ireland
Courtney Brosnan, Heather Payne (Isibeal Atkinson 84’), Anna Patten, Niamh Fahey (Megan Campbell 72’), Caitlin Hayes, Katie McCabe ©, Ruesha Littlejohn (Megan Connolly 72’), Jessie Stapleton, Denise O’Sullivan, Julie-Ann Russell (Leanne Kiernan 72’), Kyra Carusa (Abbie Larkin 84’)
Unused subs: Grace Moloney, Sophie Whitehouse, Diane Caldwell, Amber Barrett, Tyler Toland, Marissa Sheva, Lily Agg
Goals: Anna Patten (86’)
Yellows: Katie McCabe (17’), Leanne Kiernan (78’), Courtney Brosnan (90’)
Wales
Olivia Clark, Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Josie Green, Angharad James ©, Alice Griffiths (Ella Powell 82’), Lily Woodham (Ceri Holland 72’), Jess Fishlock (Carrie Jones 63’), Hannah Cain (Ffion Morgan 63’), Rachel Rowe
Unused subs: Laura O’Sullivan-Jones, Safia Middleton-Patel, Mayzee Davies, Kayleigh Barton, Lois Joel, Charlie Estcourt, Mary McAteer, Mared Griffiths
Goals: Hannah Cain (50’ p), Carrie Jones (67’)
Yellows: Rachel Rowe (60’)
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