Ireland vs England LIVE: Lionesses result and reaction from Euro 2025 qualifier in Dublin
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England: Goals from Lauren James and Alex Greenwood got the Lionesses back to winning ways
England overcame a gusty performance from the Republic of Ireland to secure their first win in qualifying for the 2025 Women’s Euros.
First half goals from Lauren James, firing home a bouncing ball, and Alex Greenwood, who converted from the penalty spot, proved enough for the Lionesses in Dublin. Greenwood, deputising from 12 yards with Georgia Stanway on the bench, struck the post with a second penalty shortly after scoring as England threatened to turn the encounter into a rout.
But Ireland rallied after the interval and threatened to launch a comeback in front of a strong home crowd at the Aviva Stadium, producing a flurry of late chances. The hosts lacked, however, the quality to consistently test Hannah Hampton in the England goal, with Eileen Gleeson’s side suffering a second consecutive defeat after a similarly battling performance against France last week.
France top a tough group after beating Sweden in their second fixture, but England and Wiegman will be encouraged by an improved performance after a flat opener at Wembley.
The Lionesses were able to welcome back skipper Leah Williamson, who made her first start in more than a year. The 27-year-old had not featured for the Lionesses since suffering an ACL injury in April 2023, which forced her to miss last summer’s World Cup, but produced a typically commanding and calm performance alongside Greenwood.
Relive all the action from Euro 2025 qualifying below, plus get the latest odds and tips here:
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 25 minutes
You did wonder if Ireland would struggle to back up that France performance on a relatively short turnaround. Things feel a little bit flat inside the Aviva Stadium.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 21 minutes
The hosts gathered themselves in a huddle before getting the game back underway, that solid start all too brief. England are just starting to win the physical challenges, too, with Leah Williamson putting herself about on her first international start in more than a year.
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 0-2 ENGLAND (Alex Greenwood penalty, 19 minutes)
Alex Greenwood sends Courtney Brosnan the wrong way!
Greenwood is on duty from the spot with no Georgia Stanway in the starting England side tonight, and the centre-half makes no mistake from 12 yards.
Penalty! Republic of Ireland 0-1 England, 17 minutes
Lucy Bronze is charging forwards at every opportunity. She again threatens at the far post as England swing in another deep cross.
Headed away, Jess Park on the volley...and the referee points to the penalty spot! Park’s shot struck a leaping Ruesha Littlejohn on the arm, and England have a chance to double their lead.
Republic of Ireland 0-1 England, 15 minutes
The Republic of Ireland will take heart from how they managed to steel themselves after an early concession against France, but you’d imagine Eileen Gleeson would have loved her side to spend longer level in the contest. They’d looked solid enough defensively, too, until that James strike:
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 0-1 ENGLAND (Lauren James, 12 minutes)
A loose ball in the box and Lauren James lashes it home!
A touch of fortune about the ricochet to her but that’s a calm, crisp finish from James. A long diagonal is headed back towards goal by Lucy Bronze, her angle cut off by two Irish defenders. Bronze’s header strikes the legs of the second of them, Anna Patten, and spins nicely into the path of England’s number seven, who cuts across her finish to beat Courtney Brosnan down to the goalkeeper’s right. The Lionesses lead in Dublin.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England, 10 minutes
Lucy Bronze hits the deck as she tries to combine with a teammate on the right, her appeals waved away and the Rpeublic of Ireland launching into a counter-attack. But the support is lacking, allowing Bronze and England to regather.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England, 7 minutes
A first touch for Lauren James, and the Chelsea winger is immediately harrassed by Katie McCabe, as you imagine will be the plan for most of the night, with McCabe dropping back to help out defensively. It looks like a back five again for Ireland.
James does get some space beyond Anna Patten, but her floated cross hasn’t the pace on it for Alessia Russo to really direct goalwards. A tame header is the game’s first shot on target.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England, 5 minutes
There’s good intensity about the Republic of Ireland so far, getting up after England’s back five to try and win the ball back high up the pitch. But England cut them open with a long ball threaded down the right side of the Irish defence, Lauren Hemp latching on and winning Engalnd’s first corner. Katie McCabe powerfully heads it away at the front post.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England, 3 minutes
But it is Ireland who have the first attack in earnest, Kyra Carusa earning a corner from Jess Carter having attempted to cross.
Huge cheers for Katie McCabe as she trots across to take. The home captain swings it in from the right with her left foot, but Hannah Hampton stands tall to claim on the edge of her six-yard box.
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