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England kept their hopes of securing automatic qualification for Euro 2025 alive with a comfortable and controlled victory over Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road.
The Lionesses knew a win was essential to set up an easier scenario against Sweden next Tuesday and got the match started in fine fashion. Alessia Russo making a run into the box, Beth Mead flicking the ball to her and the forward striking home within the first five minutes.
However, Ireland rallied well and kept England at bay until the break. In the second half, Niamh Fahey was caught dallying in possession by Lauren Hemp and brought the forward down inside the box. Georgia Stanway slotted home the resultant penalty and England thought that was that.
Yet, after constant pressure from Ireland Julie Russell turned the ball past Hannah Hampton to net a late consolation for the visitors. But, England take the three points and jump above Sweden in the group knowing that a draw on Tuesday evening will be enough to send them through.
Relive the action with our live blog below as the Lionesses face Ireland:
Lionesses triumph over Republic of Ireland to move within a point of Euro 2025
England took one step closer to booking a place at Euro 2025 with a 2-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their Carrow Road qualifier.
Alessia Russo fired the defending European champions into the lead after just five minutes in front of a sold-out crowd in Norwich, undeterred by the soggy conditions and delighted to welcome the Lionesses back for the first time since the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup.
Georgia Stanway doubled England’s advantage with a second-half penalty but Julie-Ann Russell denied the hosts a clean sheet in the fourth and final minute of added time.
FT England 2-1 Republic of Ireland
England manager Sarina Wiegman speaking to ITV: “Happy with the result. I thought we started really well and scored an incredible goal. After that we created a lot of chances but should have played more in the pockets. We were sloppy in moments too. In the second half we could have put it to bed. I was very frustrated about their goal in the 90th minute.
“They tried to push a little higher but they didn’t do a lot different. We kept playing short a lot and we should have skipped players a little more.
“That’s going to be a totally different game. Today the team was really aggressive in press but you cant do that for 90 minutes. The game on Tuesday we will show that too. Sweden have to win. We always know what we want to do better in the next game.
“In the training sessions they did well. We did some management of load and we had some yellow cards in the team so also wanted to manage that and take some risk out of that.”
FT England 2-1 Republic of Ireland
FT England 2-1 Republic of Ireland
England’s Jess Park speaking to ITV: “Job’s done. We got the three points. We are disappointed to have conceded that goal but we had lots of opportunities to put the ball in the net and we’re happy with the three points.
“I loved every second. I always want to be on the field so it was a real good game. We’re so focused. We’ve been working really hard and just want to get those three points.”
FT England 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Full-time! England 2-1 Republic of Ireland
90+4 mins: England get the three points. In truth it was a comfortable night for the Lionesses who needed to win and did just that.
Sarina Wiegman handed out a couple of debuts, played some of her fringe players and watched Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway convert goals.
Julie Russell added a consolation goal right at the end which is also Ireland’s first goal of their campaign. That’s a blip for England but they’ll be pleased with the result.
GOAL! England 2-1 Republic of Ireland (Russell, 90+4’)
90+4 mins: A long throw from Megan Campbell sends the ball to Caitlin Hayes who nods the ball on. Julie Russell shields the dropping ball then whips it into the back of the net with Hannah Hampton having no chance to stop it from close range.
England 2-0 Republic of Ireland
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play.
England 2-0 Republic of Ireland
88 mins: Aggie Beever-Jones becomes the second England debutant of the evening as she comes on to replace Lauren Hemp. She had a fantastic season in the WSL, can she replicate that on the international stage tonight and on Tuesday versus Sweden?
England 2-0 Republic of Ireland
85 mins: Very nice game management from England now too. Maintain possession, work the ball across the pitch, keep Ireland running and chasing it.
Competent work.
Source: independent.co.uk
