England 2
Republic of Ireland 1
A GLIMMER OF positivity at the very end of a miserable night in Norwich.
Ireland’s losing run continued in their Euro 2025 qualifying Group of Death, though the returning Julie-Ann Russell scored their first goal of the campaign — and year outright.
It was a magical moment for the Galway United star, back in the squad for the first time since 2020, having given birth to her daughter, Rosie, last summer.
The goal was hugely important in the grand scheme of things, but ultimately, won’t detract from a 100% losing record after five games in this group
England enjoyed their first home win of the campaign as they look to defend their European Championship title by qualifying directly. Ireland have the safety net of a play-off and remain in front of the race for the final seeded place after Poland’s 3-1 defeat to Austria earlier.
The trend of conceding early resumed, with Alessia Russo’s fifth-minute opener the promptest yet, while Georgia Stanway’s second-half penalty ultimately wrapped up all three points in front of 23,003 fans.
In truth, it should have been more than 2-1 as Sarina Wiegman’s side generally outclassed Ireland at a rain-sodden Carrow Road. But this was another huge shift against top-quality opposition.
After a “dark week” for Irish football in the wake of abuse allegations uncovered by RTÉ and The Sunday Independent, and the questionably-timed announcement of men’s manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, it was time for some football.
Gleeson rang the changes. She made five switches to the team that lost to Sweden last time; some enforced, others not. Katie McCabe was suspended and Kyra Carusa injured, but Louise Quinn dropping out was a football decision.
Denise O’Sullivan returned from injury to take the captain’s armband, while Niamh Fahey, Anna Patten, Emily Murphy and Amber Barrett also got the nod, with Megan Connolly and Leanne Kiernan making way. Diane Caldwell missed out on the matchday squad.
Fahey and Patten joined Caitlin Hayes as the three rotating centre-halves, with the industrious Aoife Mannion at right-wing-back and Ziu — wearing 11 — stepping in for McCabe on the left. O’Sullivan was a shining light alongside Ruesha Littlejohn and Lily Agg in the middle, while Murphy and Barrett were deployed up top.
90 (+4)' - GOAL IRELAND
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 12, 2024
🏴2-1🇮🇪
Julie-Ann Russel has Ireland's first goal of these qualifiers with the last kick of the game at Carrow Road #RTESport
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England, too, made some switches. Hannah Hampton was preferred to Mary Earps in goal as they played their usual 4-3-3 and hit the ground running.
Just as Olé, Olé momentarily drowned out It’s Coming Home and other England chants, Russo broke the deadlock with a brilliant team goal. The Arsenal star rounded Courtney Brosnan and slotted home after a deft flick from Beth Mead and Stanway prominence in the build-up. Too easy.
Jess Park ran the show as England played their opponents off the pitch early on, repeatedly targeting the space on Ireland’s left side.
The attacks couldn’t be more contrasting. The game should have been long over after 20 minutes, but for Brosnan heroics. She denied Park, Hemp and Mead, while Russo headed wide. Barrett did have an early shot on target, but it was easily claimed, and she and Murphy completely failed to fire.
Murphy was particularly disappointing, giving the ball away on several occasions, though Fahey and Hayes were among those to do so in much more dangerous areas.
Ireland were disjointed and lacked cohesion, with Brosnan repeatedly hoofing over the sideline to try and stop the siege. They were overrun in midfield and vulnerable out wide. Ziu, who had been excellent of late, struggled. At one stage near the end of the first half, O’Sullivan – who was uncharacteristically dispossessed herself on occasion – roared ‘JESS’ in frustration as yet another Irish pass went astray.
They did tighten up in possession as the half wore on, however, and looked a lot more solid defensively after a tweak. They gave England a little more to think about, yet the gulf in class remained. Ireland’s first corner resulting in a free out said it all.
The main cause for optimism was Ireland were still only 1-0 down, with Gleeson calling for Russell and Leanne Kiernan to replace Barrett and Murphy and lead a higher press. The duo were lively as Ireland looked much improved…until they were caught dreadfully in the 58th minute.
The increased confidence in possession came to an abrupt halt after a trainwreck in defence. Brosnan was far from home when she put Fahey under pressure with a poor pass; Hemp stole the ball and the defender pulled her down for a penalty. Stanway made no mistake from the spot, and finally, England had their second.
5' - GOAL ENGLAND
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 12, 2024
🏴1-0🇮🇪
Russo rounds Brosnan and strokes the ball home - the hosts have an early lead at Carrow Road #RTESport
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📺Watch: https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ pic.twitter.com/EJ0V7qirLw
Megan Campbell was called for a little after the hour-mark. Long-throw time. She went to left-wing back, with Ziu shifting to the middle, but Ireland continued to play with fire at the back and there were some heart-in-the-mouth moments for Brosnan and co.
England prodded and probed but couldn’t add another goal, while Campbell’s throws looked to be amounting to little… until Russell broke Ireland’s duck and ended a seven-game goal-less run dating back to last December.
Louise Quinn — winning her 120th cap from the bench — and then Caitlin Hayes, flicked on a slinged throw, and the Galwegian hooked home to round off her long-awaited 61st cap in style.
A moment of magic at the death; an outpour of emotion and a real shot in the arm.
Onto Páirc Uí Chaoimh, where Ireland round out the group against France, who beat Sweden 2-1 tonight to secure qualification.
ENGLAND: Hannah Hampton; Jess Carter (Niamh Charles HT), Alex Greenwood, Leah Williamson (Millie Bright HT); Maya Le Tissier; Jess Park, Kiera Wash, Georgia Stanway; Beth Mead (Chloe Kelly 62), Alessia Russo (Jessica Naz 71), Lauren Hemp (Aggie Beaver Jones 88).
IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion; Caitlin Hayes, Niamh Fahey (Louise Quinn 88), Anna Patten; Jess Ziu; Ruesha Littlejohn (Megan Campbell 66), Denise O’Sullivan, Lily Agg; Emily Murphy (Leanne Kiernan HT), Amber Barrett (Julie-Ann Russell HT).
Referee: Catarina Campos (Portugal).
