Wales Women Secure Spot in Euro 2025
Wales’ women's football team made history on Tuesday night, defeating the Republic of Ireland 2-1 in a thrilling second-leg playoff to secure a spot in the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship. This is the first time Wales has qualified for a major women’s tournament.
Goals from Hannah Cain and Carrie Jones proved decisive at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, where tension gripped the 25,832-strong crowd. Cain's 50th-minute penalty came after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Ireland’s Anna Patten. Later, Jones capitalized on a pinpoint pass from Lily Woodham to put Wales two goals ahead. Ireland managed a late goal through Patten in the 86th minute, but the visitors held on during a nerve-wracking eight minutes of added time.
Manager Rhian Wilkinson, who took the helm earlier this year, was emotional after the win. “The most incredible thing is that I’m new here. I showed up for the sprint end of a marathon. I see all these staff who have been through the whole ride and how proud they are. That’s what makes it for me,” she said. Reflecting on the match, Wilkinson added, “Sometimes football is a matter of fate and the matter of the bounce of a ball. That was what it was. The ball bounced our way at the critical moment and that’s all there was between the two today.”
The victory sparked wild celebrations among the Welsh players, fans, and families. Jess Fishlock, the team’s record scorer, called it the "proudest moment" of her life, while defender Lily Woodham’s mother described the team as “amazing.” Supporters at home and in Dublin echoed these sentiments, with many praising the team’s determination and the potential impact on women’s football in Wales that qualifying for the Euros will have.
The game itself was not without drama. Ireland dominated large portions of the first half, with Denise O’Sullivan hitting the crossbar and Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark making crucial saves, including an incredible finger-tip save against Russell. The physicality of the match was evident, with Ireland captain Katie McCabe narrowly avoiding a red card.
Despite the pressure, Wales showed grit and composure. Jess Fishlock’s substitution due to injury paved the way for Jones’ game-changing contribution. Fans, players, and analysts alike agreed that the team’s resilience and tactical discipline were key to their success.
Now, the focus turns to the draw on December 16th in Lausanne, Switzerland, where Wales will discover their group-stage opponents. Former captain Laura McAllister, now a UEFA Vice President, shared her excitement: “We've been waiting a very long time for this but we always knew the moment would come. No one deserves this more than this squad and this group. I couldn't be happier for them."
