UEFA Euro 2025 play-off second round 2nd leg
Tuesday, 3 December
Republic of Ireland v Wales, Aviva Stadium, 7.30pm.
TV/PLAYER
Watch live build-up and coverage of the match on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 7pm.
RADIO
Listen to live commentary with an extended Game On programme on 2fm.
ONLINE
Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
WEATHER
Clear spells and isolated showers are forecast for Tuesday evening as rain clears eastwards. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees. Southeasterly winds will be moderate.
History beckons for Ireland
Eileen Gleeson’s Republic of Ireland team are 90 minutes away from creating history as they look to qualify for the European Championships for the first time ever.
Ireland look to have the slight advantage going into the game after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Wales in Cardiff.
Wales took the lead in what was a very tight first leg as Lily Woodham finished smartly when she capitalised on a Niamh Fahey mistake. However, fortune favoured Ireland who equalised when Ruesha Littlejohn’s long-range effort hit the crossbar before rebounding off the head of the head of goalkeeper Olivia Clark before bouncing over the line.
With the away goals rule not applying, Tuesday’s game will be a winner-takes-all clash, which could require extra-time and penalties before we know who is going to be in the draw for the tournament on 16 December.
With over 25,000 tickets already sold for the clash, a big crowd is expected at Lansdowne Road and Ireland will hope that the home crowd can give them an extra advantage.
“Going to the Aviva now with basically a 0-0 is something positive,” Ireland defender Anna Patten said. “It’s all to come in that game. We’ve got the home crowd and we’ve got everyone behind us, we’ve got an advantage now.”
Gleeson unlikely to shuffle her deck
With so much on the line for just one game, Gleeson looks unlikely to take any risks with her team selection and will most likely name a similar starting XI to the one that lined up in Cardiff.
With Louise Quinn and Aoife Mannion ruled out of both play-off legs through injury, the Ireland manager looked to experience and was rewarded for it with the performance of both Ruesha Littlejohn and Niamh Fahey in the first leg.
Both Littlejohn and Fahey acquitted themselves admirably in Cardiff despite the quick turn around, both look set to start the game in Dublin.
Gleeson has no new injury concerns and expects a tactical battle with both sides needing to win, but she’s hoping that home advantage gives Ireland the edge.
“It’s focusing on the job at hand and just what we need to do ourselves,” the Ireland boss said.
“It’s an absolute privilege to be coming out at home with – as it stands – 25,000 tickets (sold) and people attending the game. It’s pressure on us, it’s a pressure situation. It’s an absolute honour and we will embrace all of our support, which I’m sure will be loud and vocal.
Gleeson appears to be ready to keep things tight first and foremost and with such a big prize on offer for the victor, a long night could be in store.
Wales ready for battle
The Welsh struggled at times in the first leg against an aggressive Irish press and manager Rhian Wilkinson admitted afterwards that she believed Ireland dictated the tempo of the game, forcing her side into a style of football that doesn’t suit them.
With notions of playing a more free-flowing, passing game, Wilkinson bemoaned the fact that her side were ‘too direct’ in the first leg, as Ireland’s aggressive approach forced her side to bypass their midfield more often than she wanted.
“We were too direct,” the Welsh boss said afterwards. “Ireland are very good at what they do. They don’t mess about with the ball, and I think we played into their hands so I expect more from the team in Dublin.”
Just what Wilkinson can do to counter the Irish press remains to be seen however, particularly with a huge home crowed cheering them on.
Wales captain Angharad James is expecting a physical encounter at the Aviva, but it’s a challenge that she believes her side are ready to face.
“It was always going to be a battle,” she said. “It’s a derby and a game that means a lot to both teams,” James said.
“As a group we know that we can be better, that wasn’t our best performance by a long way, but there is pressure on these games. We know we’ll be better for Tuesday. We have got a lot to work on and they haven’t seen anything yet.
“A derby is always physical, it’s just about being smart and making sure all 11 players stay on the field. We’ll regroup and look at how we can get better for Tuesday.”
Watch Republic of Ireland v Wales in the Euro 2025 play-offs on Tuesday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm’s Game On.