ALL SQUARE AT the midpoint. Everything still to play for at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night. Ireland came from behind to secure a draw against Wales in the first leg of their Euro 2025 play-off final at Cardiff City Stadium.
The hosts struck first through Lily Woodham in the 20th minute, before the outstanding Ruesha Littlejohn ultimately — but not officially — restored parity by half time. A record crowd of 16,845 — over 350 of them travelling Irish supporters — watched a fiery encounter in the Welsh capital, but all eyes now turn to Dublin, where the historic qualification scores will be settled in four days’ time. Gleeson made four changes to her XI.
Niamh Fahey got the nod in the back three alongside Anna Patten and Caitlin Hayes; Littlejohn and Lily Agg both returned in midfield — the former holding — and Heather Payne was selected wide right. Captain Katie McCabe operated on the left, always trying to link up with Ireland’s other top star, Denise O’Sullivan. Kyra Carusa and Julie-Ann Russell combined up top.
Wales started as expected, in a 4-3-3 with Fishlock their key attacking threat. A lively build-up was capped by a rousing rendition of , but the opening exchanges were rather dull. It was cagey and scrappy, though there was no shortage of needle and physicality, with McCabe and Ceri Holland among the key battles.
Russell had the early Irish sights on goal, before Wales broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. It was a quality goal, but one in whic.
