Wales made historical past by qualifying for his or her first main event after objectives from Hannah Cain and Carrie Jones gave them a 2-1 Euro 2025 play-off second-leg victory over the Republic of Eire in Dublin.
Rhian Wilkinson’s group triumphed 3-2 on combination as they progressed to subsequent summer season’s European Championships in Switzerland.
Leicester ahead Cain’s Fiftieth-minute penalty got here after a VAR examine confirmed the ball had struck Anna Patten’s arm from a Wales free-kick.
She stored her cool to place Wales forward following her current return to motion after a second main knee damage, then substitute Jones struck 17 minutes later.
Patten scored within the 86th minute to make sure a nervous end for Wales that included a goal-line clearance from the guests throughout eight minutes of added time that Eire dominated, however they held out to spark wild scenes of celebration on the Aviva Stadium.
Wales confirmed two adjustments from the primary leg in Cardiff, with defender Josie Inexperienced beginning as a substitute of Ceri Holland and ahead Ffion Morgan changed by Cain, whereas one Eire swap noticed a call-up for Jessie Stapleton.
Clear-cut probabilities have been at a premium in the course of the opening exchanges. Wales’ Jess Fishlock had the primary shot on track however it was comfortably handled by Eire goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
Eire captain Katie McCabe then collected a yellow card, however Wales got here underneath rising stress and Denise O’Sullivan noticed her long-range shot hit the crossbar earlier than McCabe was narrowly large, additionally from distance.
There was no let-up from the house aspect and Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark made a advantageous save to disclaim Julie Russell, however the guests responded impressively.
Lily Woodham’s free-kick was saved by Brosnan 13 minutes earlier than half-time, earlier than Brosnan made one other advantageous cease to disclaim Rhiannon Roberts as Wales served discover of their attacking high quality.
However again got here Eire and Niamh Fahey was narrowly large with a strong left-footed drive, which proved the ultimate attacking second of a gap half that ended 0-0.
Wales have been forward, although, 5 minutes after the break when a VAR intervention confirmed the ball hanging Patten’s arm and Cain despatched Brosnan the incorrect means from the penalty spot.
Brosnan then made a point-blank save to disclaim Angharad James, earlier than a double swap by Wilkinson noticed Morgan change Cain and Jones go on for Fishlock, who appeared to undergo an damage.
Jones’ impression was rapid as she put Wales two objectives up after capitalising on an excellent cross from Woodham, however Patten’s 86th-minute effort gave Eire hope throughout a frantic end.
