The Republic of Ireland and Wales will meet over two legs in the playoff finals for Euro 2025 after coming through their first-round matches in contrasting styles.
Ireland stayed on course for their first European Championship after beating Georgia 3-0 in Dublin in the second leg of their tie. Eileen Gleeson’s side cruised to a 9-0 aggregate win after goals from Julie-Ann Russell, Kyra Carusa and the captain, Katie McCabe, at the Tallaght Stadium.
Wales’s night was far less comfortable, however. Rhian Wilkinson’s team were 2-1 down from their first leg against Slovakia in Poprad and Jess Fishlock’s first-half strike brought the scores level on aggregate.
Neither side could find a second-half winner at the Cardiff City Stadium, but deep into extra time Ceri Holland slotted home the rebound after Kayleigh Barton’s effort had cannoned back of a post to give Wales a 3-2 win. The playoff finals are scheduled to take place between 27 November and 3 December.
An extra-time goal from Lauren Wade secured a 1-0 win on the night for Northern Ireland to ensure they progressed 2-1 on aggregate against Croatia. A goalless 90 minutes at Windsor Park followed a 1-1 draw in Zagreb in the first leg before Wade fired into the top corner from the edge of the box from a corner with just six minutes remaining to keep the European Championship dream alive for Tanya Oxtoby’s side.
It sets up a two-legged tie against Norway in which they will need to be at their best to upset the odds and eliminate the 1995 World Cup winners. They face a tall order to reach the finals in Switzerland next year with their next opponents having hammered Albania 14-0 on aggregate, a rout which included a 9-0 second-leg win in Oslo.
A flat display in Belfast was redeemed by Wade, the Hearts defender crashing the ball home for her 10th goal for her country. The game was also marked by a 50th cap for Rangers’ Laura Rafferty who turned in a solid display in the centre of defence.
Scotland will take on Finland for a place at Euro 2025 after thrashing Hungary 4-0 in the second leg of their playoff at Easter Road. Erin Cuthbert, Caroline Weir and Martha Thomas were all on target after an early own goal from the visiting goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy to secure a 5-0 aggregate success.
Finland had earlier beaten Montenegro 5-0 in their second leg for a 6-0 aggregate win.
