Wales women make history with Euro 2025 qualification

Wales women reach Euro 2025 finals, ending a 50-year wait with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Ireland

DUBLIN:

More than 50 years after suffering their first international loss to Ireland, the women’s football team of Wales secured a historic victory with a 3-2 aggregate win over Ireland in their Euro 2025 playoff on Tuesday, earning a spot in the finals of a major tournament for the first time.

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at home, the team faced a tense second leg in Dublin, where Hannah Cain’s penalty and Carrie Jones’ second-half goal sealed the win, despite a late goal from Anna Patten and a fierce Irish push in the final minutes.

An emotional Cain expressed her joy after the match with the BBC, saying, "Honestly, I've got no words. There's nothing that will ever compare to this feeling. I was crying when I scored."

For Wales’ all-time cap holder and goal-scorer Jess Fishlock, Tuesday’s triumph marked the culmination of a 20-year journey. "I can't put it into words. This is 20 years in the making. I wouldn't change a second of it," she said, reflecting on her debut in 2006.

The defeat is a significant blow for Ireland, who had previously made their World Cup debut in 2023 but fell short in the Euro playoffs. However, the win is a major boost for Welsh football, with manager Rhian Wilkinson stating, "Those boys and girls back home are seeing a generation of football that's going to change everything."