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

Sarina Wiegman says Leah Williamson is 'excited' to come back ahead of Euro 2025 qualifier against Sweden

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:

Ireland vs England LIVE

• FULL TIME: Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
• GOAL! Republic of Ireland 0-2 ENGLAND (Alex Greenwood penalty, 19 minutes)
• GOAL! Republic of Ireland 0-1 ENGLAND (Lauren James, 12 minutes)
• England captain Leah Williamson starts for first time since April 2023 following ACL injury

[9 April 2024 21:13 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 86 minutes

What has happened there? Nearly a horrible moment for Hannah Hampton, kicking the ball into Katie McCabe and expecting the referee to blow for a free kick. When she doesn’t, a mad scramble back to her line is required to preserve her clean sheet.

[9 April 2024 21:10 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 83 minutes

Kept out by Hannah Hampton! Ireland are right in this all of a sudden. Caitlin Hayes attacks a set piece superbly and directs her header downwards, forcing Hampton into a sharp save at her far post.

[9 April 2024 21:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 81 minutes

Caitlin Hayes flies out to try and win a header, but her failure to do so leaves Ireland exposed. Fran Kirby curves her pass for Beth Mead to pursue, but there’s too much on it and Courtney Brosnan, whose starting position has been excellent all night, is to it first.

[9 April 2024 21:05 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 77 minutes

What a chance for Ireland...but it goes begging! McCabe stands up a delightful cross to the far post where Louise Quinn has peeled away, and a goal seems a certainty as Quinn slides a first-time ball across the six-yard area with teammates waiting. But it somehow contrives to evade them as it slithers on, Caitin Hayes getting her heel to it but nothing more. England are eventually able to smother it behind for a corner.

[9 April 2024 21:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 76 minutes

Megan Campbell’s latest launch into the box is punched away by Hannah Hampton, thrusting a fist between the bodies, but Lauren James concedes a soft free kick as Leanne Kiernan picks up the pieces 30 yards out. Too far for Katie McCabe to have a shot at goal?

[9 April 2024 21:02 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 74 minutes

A bit better from England, Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh exerting their influence to settle them down. But that’s loose from Hannah Hampton, finding Leanne Kiernan with a hurried clearance and grateful to Jess Carter for helping her out.

Georgia Stanway replaces Ella Toone in England’s midfield.

(The FA via Getty Images)

[9 April 2024 20:58 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 71 minutes

Sarina Wiegman frowns and strokes her chin, mulling her next move. England have just lost a little bit of the cohesion they played with in the first half.

[9 April 2024 20:56 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 69 minutes

The Republic of Ireland are sticking in there. Could they get a goal and really put the cat among English pigeons? Megan Campbell’s long throws, which really are things of majesty, look like they might be a route to success.

[9 April 2024 20:55 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 68 minutes

On comes Emily Murphy for Ireland, Kyra Carusa’s night over having seen little of the ball.

Ella Toone beats a couple of players before blazing over the bar from long range.

[9 April 2024 20:52 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England, 66 minutes

Top stop from Courtney Brosnan! Fran Kirby seems a certainty to score as she plants a half-volley goalwards from Beth Mead’s cushioned header, but Brosnan is firmly in the way.