EURO2025 play-off preview: Republic of Ireland 1 - 2 Wales (Wales win 3-2 on aggregate)

Macdara Ferris reports from the Aviva Stadium

There was heartbreak for Ireland as they lost 2-1 to Wales in their European Championship play-off second leg in the Aviva. The 3-2 aggregate win for Wales sent Cymru through to their very first major tournament as Ireland couldn’t back up their World Cup qualification last time out with a play-off win to take them through to EURO2025 next summer in Switzerland.

It was a dramatic conclusion to the tie as Ireland almost came back from two down to take the game to extra-time but couldn't quite find the equaliser to do so after Anna Patten's header halved the deficit.

The first leg had been a tetchy affair in Cardiff and we had more of the same this time around in Dublin. With the rugby markings still visible from last weekend’s Ireland v Australia match, there were plenty of robust challenges that would have graced that game.

Alice Griffiths was lucky not to go in the book for a tackle on Katie McCabe. The Ireland captain came in for special attention from the visitors and it all left the Ireland skipper somewhat frustrated. She took that out on Josephine Green and went into the book in the 17^th minute for a foul on Green followed by a bit of back talk to the Spanish referee afterwards.

The Arsenal star was thankful then not to see another yellow seven minutes from the break. She just about pulled out of the challenge where any additional force would have seen her sent early to the sideline.

Throughout the first half she had been booed by the vocal visiting support but was happy to play the pantomime villain by flashing them a smile when she was down at the corner flag.

Ireland dominated the play in the opening half and went closest to scoring when O’Sullivan cracked the ball off the crossbar with a superb right foot shot from distance midway through the half.

However the visitors had their moments in the game too forcing Courtney Brosnan into a couple of quick fire saves just after the half hour mark. First she had to push away Lily Woodham’s dipping free kick from outside the area following a foul by Ruesha Littlejohn who had lost the ball in midfield.

The Everton keeper was on her toes just after to touch around the post Rhiannon Roberts' shot on the turn.

Shots from Heather Payne, Niamh Fahey and McCabe all flashed by goal in the first half as the teams trooped off in the rain level on the night and on aggregate.

However it was advantage Wales early in the second period as the VAR officials alerted the referee  Anna Patten’s arm brushing the ball when the visitors pumped a free kick into the box.

Brosnan had saved a spot kick in Ireland’s last play-off final against Scotland to send Ireland to the World Cup but there was no joy this time around as Hannah Cain stepped up and sent the Ireland keeper the wrong way.

With the one goal lead on the night and on aggregate, Wales were slowing the game down whenever the could but they broke at speed in the 67^th minute with substitute Carrie Jones showing a clean pair of heels to the Ireland defence before finding the corner of the net with a low shot beyond Brosnan’s despairing dive.

It left Ireland with a mountain to climb in the last 20 minutes or so. Gleeson made a triple change as she looked to get her team back into the tie.

They lacked composure though but did get a goal back four minutes from time from a set piece. Patten had two goes at scoring with her first downward header saved on the line by Roberts but Patten reacted quickly to head home the rebound.

With eight minutes of injury time there was chaos in the Cymru box as substitute Megan Campbell fired her long throws into the Welsh penalty area.

There were a couple of goal mouth scrambles as the decibel levels grew and grew. Both Leanne Kiernan and Denise O’Sullivan had goalbound shots touched behind off Welsh bodies late on but they just couldn’t find the back of the net.

What this result will mean for the future of Eileen Gleeson as Ireland boss remains to be seen as Wales were the ones celebrating in front of their visiting fans at the final whislte as the tears flowed on the pitch and from those in the stands wearing green. 

Ireland will only watch next summer’s Swiss tournament on their telly as Wales earn their place at the big football table. 

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Anna Patten, Niamh Fahey  (Megan Campbell 72), Caitlin Hayes; Heather Payne  (Izzy Atkinson 84), Ruesha Littlejohn (Megan Connolly 72), Jessie Stapleton, Katie McCabe; Denise O'Sullivan; Kyra Carusa (Abbie Larkin 84), Julie-Ann Russell (Leanne Kiernan 72).
Subs not used: Grace Moloney, Sophie Whitehouse, Diane Caldwell, Lily Agg, Tyler Toland, Marissa Sheva, Amber Barrett.
Booked: Katie McCabe (17), Leanne Kiernan (78).


Wales: Olivia Clark; Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans; Josie Green, Angharad James ©, Alice Griffiths (Ella Powell 82), Lily Woodham (Ceri Holland 72); Rachel Rowe, Jessica Fishlock; Hannah Cain (Ffion Morgan 63).
Subs not used: Safia Middleton-Patel, Laura O'Sullivan, Charlie Estcourt, Kayleigh Barton, Mary McAteer, Mayzee Davies, Alice Griffiths, Lois Joel.
Booked: Rachel Rowe (59).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain) 
Attendance: 25,832