Euro 2025: Wales beat Ireland to qualify, Scotland and Northern Ireland knocked out in play-offs
Published 03/12/2024 at 22:21 GMT
Wales secured an historic victory to secure passage to Euro 2025, beating Republic of Ireland 2-1 on Tuesday night. Hannah Cain opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Carrie Jones doubled their lead. Meanwhile, Scotland and Northern Ireland missed out on a spot in next year's tournament.
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Wales beat Republic of Ireland 2-1 on Tuesday night in their play-off second leg to qualify for the Euro 2025, while Scotland and Northern Ireland were knocked out.
The first leg in Wales saw the two sides draw 1-1, and with away goals not in force in the play-offs, the away side needed a victory to progress.
The first half was locked goalless with Denise O’Sullivan hitting the woodwork for the home side in the opening period.
Wales took the lead when Anna Patten’s handball gifted them a penalty, duly converted by Hannah Cain on 50 minutes. Carrie Jones put them two clear on 67 minutes.
Patten then headed home for Ireland late on, but they could not find their way through after eight minutes of injury time, and Wales held on to qualify.
Wales' record goalscorer Jess Fishlock told BBC Sport: "I can't put it into words. This is 20 years in the making. I wouldn't change a second of it.
"The ups and downs are part of the process and the journey. It all led to this moment with this group of girls.
"This is by far the proudest moment of my life. My hamstrings are shot but that doesn't matter right now."
Scotland suffered a 2-0 defeat in Finland after a goalless stalemate at Easter Road in the first leg.
With the scores level on aggregate at kick-off, everything rested on the match in Finland, and the visitors fell short after conceding twice in the first half.
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Natalia Kuikka scored after just eight minutes with an excellent long-range effort, and the home side made it two just before the half-hour mark.
Nea Lehtola’s shot hit Sophie Howard in the face, the deflection wrong-footing Eartha Cumings in goal.
Scotland had chances of their own, with Erin Cuthbert sending a good chance wide, Martha Thomas seeing her header saved, and Sam Kerr hit the upright. Cuthbert was also denied a penalty for Scotland when handball appeals were turned down.
Scotland have not qualified for a major tournament for six years, with manager Pedro Martinez Losa yet to guide his team through the qualification rounds. Finland will attend the European Championships for the fifth time in their history.
Norway enjoyed a 3-0 win at home against Northern Ireland in their play-off to reach next year’s tournament.
The scoreline meant the visitors suffered a 7-0 defeat on aggregate, with little doubt over the outcome after a first-leg drubbing.
Arsenal duo Frida Maanum and Synne Jensen were on the scoresheet, with Caroline Graham Hansen scoring first.
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