In the first leg of their Euro 2025 play-off final, Wales and Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 at Cardiff City Stadium. Despite Wales taking the lead through Lily Woodham, Ruesha Littlejohn's equalizer ensured the game remained level. The match was watched by a record crowd of 16,845, setting the stage for the decisive second leg in Dublin.
Emma Duffy Reports from Cardiff City Stadium Wales 1 Republic of Ireland 1 ALL SQUARE AT the midpoint.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 .
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.
Littlejohn had been dictating around the middle, but here, she spotted Welsh goalkeeper Olivia Clark off her line and let fly. The back-peddling Clark tipped the effort off the crossbar, and it bounced back off her, officially awarded as an own goal and robbing Littlejohn of a first international goal since 2016. She put her hand to her mouth, almost in disbelief.
The Irish goalkeeper stepped up again to claim a Fishlock free. Tempers flared beforehand: Littlejohn was aggrieved to be penalised for a foul on Rachel Rowe, Fishlock got involved, and the frosty exchange ended in both seeing yellow cards.
Wales Republic Of Ireland Euro 2025 Play-Off Final Cardiff City Stadium Ruesha Littlejohn Lily Woodham Emma Duffy
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