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The Republic of Ireland came from behind against Wales in Cardiff to ensure there will be a mouthwatering conclusion to their Euro 2025 playoff next week. A 1-1 draw sees the tie finely balanced after an own goal from the Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark cancelled out Lily Woodham’s opener.
This encounter caught the eye as soon as it became clear that these two close rivals would meet. Both have had differing fortunes in recent years. While Wales are still attempting to reach their first major tournament, the Republic of Ireland cleared that hurdle in qualifying for the 2023 World Cup and are looking to back that achievement up with a first ever appearance at a European Championship.
A raucous record crowd of more than 16,800 was present in Cardiff to try and help change Wales’ playoff fortunes around. They had been treated to a dramatic extra-time finish against Slovakia last time out – albeit one that was made more difficult than it should have been.
The Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson named an unchanged lineup with the record goalscorer Jess Fishlock fully fit and Ffion Morgan retaining her place as the central striker.
Ireland in contrast had cruised through with a confidence-building 9-0 aggregate victory over Georgia.
Eileen Gleeson’s side were dealt a blow this week with the withdrawal of Aoife Mannion through injury to add to the absence of Louise Quinn in central defence. The 37-year-old Niamh Fahey started at the heart of a back three, while Ruesha Littlejohn, Lily Agg and Heather Payne all returned.
Ireland would have been considered favourites coming into this game but Gleeson had warned that she expected an evenly-matched contest. It was a cagey start as the visitors controlled possession but created little of note while struggling to handle Wales’ strength in the duels. This had been the case when these two met in a friendly back in February, an encounter which Wales had won 2-0 to kick off Wilkinson’s managerial tenure.
It was the Welsh who struck first against the run of play, upping the stadium’s decibel level significantly. With their first real foray forward, the hosts took full advantage of Ireland’s defensive fragility. When Fahey missed her opportunity to clear Fishlock’s delivery, it dropped perfectly for Woodham who had made a fine run to the far post before producing a sweeping strike past Courtney Brosnan.
It would have been an opportune moment for Wales to capitalise but they sat off Ireland and allowed them to regain their rhythm. The equaliser came in fortuitous circumstances for the visitors when Littlejohn took an ambitious effort from distance. Her looping shot was tipped onto the woodwork by Clark but rebounded back off her head and into the back of the net.
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With parity restored, Wales started the second half better, testing Brosnan early on but they failed to find a break through. The visitors had their chances as well and Clark was required to pull off the save of the evening to keep out Caitlin Hayes’ sweetly struck half-volley.
With neither able to find a winner, the second leg in Dublin on Tuesday will decide who will book their spot at next summer’s finals.
