Ireland 1-2 Wales (2-3 agg.)
Eoin Harrington reporting from the Aviva Stadium
Ireland’s wait to reach a maiden European Championship will go on after a heartbreaking defeat to Wales in the playoff final second leg on Tuesday night.
A draw in Cardiff on Friday had fans hoping that history could be made in the Aviva on Tuesday but, despite being comfortably on top in the first half, things fell apart for Eileen Gleeson’s Ireland in the second.
Anna Patten was judged to have handled the ball as a Welsh free-kick floated into the Irish box, ceding a penalty which Hannah Cain duly converted.
49 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales
Big moment early in the second half as VAR spots a handball by Anna Patten and Hannah Cain coolly slots home the penalty to give the visitors the lead
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Things would then go from bad to worse, as a defensive mishap from Caitlin Hayes allowed substitute Carrie Jones in behind to slot home a second for Wales with just over 20 minutes to play. Anna Patten’s 85th-minute goal back rallied Ireland but, ultimately, they came up just short on a gut-wrenching night on Lansdowne Road.
The year began with a home defeat to Wales and, despite the steady progress felt during the Nations League A campaign, it has ended in the same manner. The campaign ends in heartbreaking fashion for Eileen Gleeson’s Ireland, and the wait for a Euros appearance will go on to 2029.
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Ireland v Wales: Player ratings from Euro 2025 playoff
Courtney Brosnan – 6.5
As reliable as ever during waves of Welsh pressure, Brosnan produced two massive saves back-to-back just after the half-hour mark to keep the scores level. She was commanding as usual in the box.
Moved early for the Cain penalty and went the wrong way.
Produced a terrific save when Wales broke with a 3-on-1 just before the hour mark.
Katie McCabe – 5.5
A mixed bag in the first half from Ireland’s captain. Though she was once again a bright spark who dictated much of Ireland’s attacking play, she was somewhat volatile in the tackle and picked up an early yellow card for dissent.
She was lucky not to see a second booking when she swung at Rowe as Wales broke.
Her attacking influence diminished significantly in the second half.
Caitlin Hayes – 5
Imposed herself physically early on and was excellent in the box from Welsh set pieces. After a slightly nervy side, she largely locked down Wales’ right flank as the game progressed.
Her error allowed Jones through for the decisive goal with just over 20 minutes to go.
Niamh Fahey – 5
Calmer than she was on Friday, Fahey intervened on more than one occasion to nullify the Welsh attack early on.
Could have had a spectacular goal with a driven first-time effort from range just before half-time.
3 December 2024; Niamh Fahey of Republic of Ireland, 5, has a shot on goal go wide during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Play-off Round Two second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
She struggled more after the break – nervy play on the ball shortly after Wales’ opener put Ireland under pressure, and was skipped past by Rowe as Wales countered on 55 minutes.
Anna Patten – 5.5
Heading over from a McCabe free-kick just after 20 minutes was one of the sole involvements of a quiet first half for Anna Patten, with Wales failing to threaten that side of the Irish defence with too much regularity.
Somewhat unlucky to give away the penalty for what looked like a shoulder of the ball, but she did have her arm firmly outstretched.
Her perseverance in the box paid off when she headed home with five minutes remaining but it was too little, too late.
Heather Payne – 6
Payne found herself extremely high up the pitch the deeper into the game we got, with the wing-back having more than one decent chance on goal during the first half. Her high press nullified much of what Wales attempted to build down their left flank.
Found more space out wide after the break as Ireland sought an equaliser.
Jessie Stapleton – 6
3 December 2024; Jessie Stapleton of Republic of Ireland in action against Alice Griffiths and Rachel Rowe of Wales during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Play-off Round Two second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
The only player brought into the team from Friday, Stapleton was an assured presence alongside Littlejohn in midfield, working her way out of tight spaces well and producing some impressively incisive passes in the first half.
She was turned too easily in the leadup to Cain’s chance on 55 minutes.
Ruesha Littlejohn – 5
A step down from Friday’s brilliance, Littlejohn struggled to impose herself on the game and produced a few nervy moments on the ball in the first half.
Consistently dropped corners right on top of Clark in the Welsh goal.
Denise O’Sullivan – 6.5
As we are accustomed to, O’Sullivan dictated the Ireland attacking game. Though she did not see much of the ball in the opening phase of the game, she grew in influence as players sought to link up with her. Went agonisingly close to scoring with a brilliant curled effort just after 20 minutes.
She was tenacious and regularly on the ball in the second half, though Wales dampened her influence well.
Went agonisingly close to equalising in injury time.
Kyra Carusa – 5
Her pressing game and runs in behind were threatening as always, though she struggled to make as much of an impact as Russell alongside her. Her best moment of the first half was her work in the buildup to O’Sullivan’s curled effort but she had little impact on the ball, especially after the break.
Julie-Ann Russell – 5.5
Energetic and alive to a few loose balls that caught Wales napping. Her neat work in the box and shot after half an hour was among the best phases of play Ireland produced before the break.
She was caught in possession more than once in the second half, and her decision-making left something to be desired as Ireland chased the equaliser.
Substitutes
Megan Connolly (for Littlejohn, 72′) – 5
Her corner delivery was immediately more threatening than Littlejohn’s had been.
Leanne Kiernan (for Russell, 72′) – 5
Booked shortly after her introduction for a clumsy challenge. Pressed energetically in the closing stages. Nearly had a equaliser deep in stoppage time.
Megan Campbell (for Fahey, 72′) – 5
Brought tenacity in the tackle and her long throws threatened Wales late on.
Abbie Larkin (for Carusa, 84′) – n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
Izzy Atkinson (for Payne, 84′) – n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
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