Lionesses kick-start Euro 2025 qualifying campaign with Ireland win; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland victorious

Lauren James was on target for England as they got their first win of Euro 2025 qualifying.

Sarina Wiegman's side registered a comfortable 2-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Alex Greenwood was also on target for the Lionesses, netting from the penalty spot, with both goals scored inside the opening 18 minutes.

The result is the perfect response to a 1-1 draw against Sweden in the opening game of the campaign on Friday.

"The most important thing was three points," said Leah Williamson, who played her first international match for a year following a knee injury.

"It's what we came here for. Obviously we would have liked it to be more convincing, a bit like the first half, but sometimes you've got to see out games."

It leaves them in second place in Group F, two points behind leaders France, who have won both their games so far.

England are hoping to defend the title they won at Wembley in 2022 when beating Germany 2-1 in the final.

With only the top two teams in the group guaranteed a place at Euro 2025, it makes next month's game against France, taking place at St James' Park on May 31, an important one.

Elsewhere, Wales sit top of Group L after dishing out a 6-0 thrashing to Kosovo.

Jess Fishlock captained the side as she won her 150th international cap.

Rachel Rowe and Elise Hughes both scored braces for Rhian Wilkinson's side, who have won their opening two matches.

It was an equally successful night for Scotland, who came through a tight affair against Slovakia.

Sophie Howard's second-half header earned the nation their first win of Euro 2025 qualifying to move joint-top of Group E, behind leaders Serbia only on goal difference.

And Simone Magill was on target for Northern Ireland in a 3-1 victory away to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All the goals were scored after the break in Zenica, with Lauren Wade and Megan Bell also getting their names on the scoresheet.

They sit in second spot in Group I, two points behind leaders Portugal.

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