Heartbreak for Ireland as Wales beat them to historic Euro 2025 qualification

The 42 Reports from the Aviva Stadium.

Republic of Ireland 1

Wales 2

Wales win 3-2 on aggregate

WALES BROKE IRISH hearts to win tonight’s decisive Euro 2025 play-off final at the Aviva Stadium and qualify for their first major tournament.

A Hannah Cain penalty — after a VAR decision — and another goal from Carrie Jones sent the Dragons into dreamland and denied Ireland of historic Euros qualification.

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Anna Patten responded for Ireland, who pushed for an equaliser late on, but it ended in agony in front of 25,832 fans at Lansdowne Road.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Anna Patten, Niamh Fahey (Megan Campbell 72), Caitlin Hayes; Heather Payne (Izzy Atkinson 84), Ruesha Littlejohn (Megan Connolly 72), Denise O’Sullivan, Jessie Stapleton, Katie McCabe; Julie Ann Russell (Leanne Kiernan 72), Kyra Carusa (Abbie Larkin 84).

Wales: Olivia Clark; Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Rhiannon Roberts; Lily Woodham (Ceri Holland 72), Angharad James, Alice Griffiths (Ella Powell 82), Josephine Green; Jess Fishlock (Carrie Jones 63), Hannah Cain (Ffion Morgan 63), Rachel Rowe.

Referee: Marta Huerta De Aza (Spain).

Written by Emma Duffy and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.