Ireland and Wales set up tense second leg after stalemate in Cardiff
Ireland and Wales drew the first leg of their Euro 2025 play-off final as Olivia Clark’s own goal prevented the Dragons from taking a lead to Dublin.
The Aviva Stadium will host the return match on Tuesday, with the winners progressing to next summer’s European Championship in Switzerland.
On this evidence it could be a long night – extra time and penalties are possible – as there was nothing to choose between the two sides in Cardiff.
Lily Woodham – who had scored in Wales’ 2-0 friendly victory in Dublin nine months ago – opened the scoring with a sweet strike after 20 minutes.
But Ireland claimed a 1-1 draw as Clark tipped Ruesha Littlejohn’s looping long-range effort on to the crossbar and then looked back in horror as the ball struck her on the way down and crept over the line.
Wales, ranked 29 in the world and five places below Ireland, carry the baggage of having never qualified for a major tournament with their last attempt ending in late heartbreak.
While Wales were suffering 2023 World Cup play-off despair in Switzerland, Ireland overcame Scotland to make their first major finals.
Both camps had sought to play down the significance of those outcomes ahead of this clash, which was notable for a record attendance of 16,845 for a women’s international match in Wales.
Wales were looking to Jess Fishlock to be the creative difference, but the veteran showed the defensive side of her game to stop Denise O’Sullivan from profiting on the edge of the box.
Ireland settled well with Julie Russell hooking over under pressure from Rhiannon Roberts, but Wales led through their solitary first-half attempt.
Ceri Holland found Fishlock down the right and Niamh Fahey missed her cross to allow Woodham to drill home her third Wales goal at the far post.
Ireland had no need to panic with 160 minutes left in the tie, but their response was impressive as Wales laboured for possession.
The visitors were rewarded 10 minutes before the break as Littlejohn tried her luck from 30 yards and Clark’s misjudgement offered Ireland hope.
Wales sent on Carrie Jones at half-time with Fishlock retreating into a deeper role for the second half and the tweak almost paid off instantly as Ffion Morgan curled wide.
Littlejohn headed Rhiannon Roberts’ effort clear from close to the goal-line and Jones wriggled free of Ireland defenders to force a useful save from Courtney Brosnan.
It was Wales’ best spell of the contest and Littlejohn lost composure by flattening Rachel Rowe and then pushing Fishlock over to receive a yellow card.
Fishlock was also booked in the incident before sending a free-kick into Brosnan’s grateful gloves.
Clark atoned for her earlier error by stopping Caitlin Hayes’ rasping volley with a fantastic reflex stop to send the teams to Dublin level.
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