THIS. IS. IT

No more playoff options. No more second chances.

Everything depends on what happens tonight at the Aviva Stadium as the Republic of Ireland welcome Wales in the second leg of their Euro 2025 playoff. The winners will qualify for next year’s tournament in Switzerland, with the scoreline currently standing at 1-1 after the first leg in Cardiff. The losers will finish their European campaign tonight.

We’ll have the team line-ups for you in the coming moments as we gear up for the 7.30pm kick-off.

We’d also love to hear your thoughts on tonight’s game, so do get in touch in the comments section below.

Republic of Ireland

Courtney Brosnan; Anna Patten, Niamh Fahey, Caitlin Hayes; Heather Payne, Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O’Sullivan, Jessie Stapleton, Katie McCabe; Julie Ann Russell, Kyra Carusa.

Eileen Gleeson has made one change to her Ireland XI, with Jessie Stapleton replacing Lily Agg. It’s a big night for the Sunderland teenager, earning her 10th cap, and should be a straight swap in midfield. Stapleton came off in the 78th minute in Cardiff as Ireland saw out a 1-1 draw.

Wales

Olivia Clark; Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Rhiannon Roberts; Lily Woodham, Angharad James, Alice Griffiths, Josephine Green; Jess Fishlock, Hannah Cain, Rachel Rowe.

There are two Wales changes, with Hannah Cain and Josephine Green starting ahead of Ceri Holland and Ffion Morgan. Holland had an interesting battle with Katie McCabe last time out, but drops to the bench for the second leg. Green came in for Holland after 80 minutes last time out, while Hannah Cain was unused.

Before tonight’s action gets underway, have a look at Emma Duffy’s preview of the game. She’s in the Aviva Stadium this evening and will be providing coverage for us later.

Date with destiny: History beckons for one in Ireland’s Euro 2025 play-off showdown

If you can’t make it to the Aviva this evening, you can watch live coverage of the game on RTÉ 2, which is starting now.

Coming into the last 20 minutes before kick-off, how do you see this one going?

Almost time to go now, the teams are coming out onto the pitch.

Kick-Off! Ireland 0-0 Wales

1 min: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Jessie Stapleton gets us underway and Denise O’Sullivan wins a corner from Ireland’s first attack.

1 min: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Ruesha Littlejohn hooks the ball into the box but it’s an easy take for Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark.

2 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Heather Payne goes down in the Wales area after some jostling with Gemma Evans but the referee waves play on.

Another Ireland corner comes of it and it’s Katie McCabe to take this time off her left.

4 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Some confusion between McCabe and O’Sullivan as they try a quick one-two and the ball is out for a Wales kickout.

Ireland then win possession back from a Wales throw-in but they get overturned and an attempted Niamh Fahey clearance goes out for a throw off McCabe.

7 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Julie Ann Russell gets on the ball from a McCabe pass. Wales then almost sneak their way through after a misplaced pass from Littlejohn.

But the visitors aren’t clinical enough to punish Ireland. Let off for Eileen Gleeson’s side.

8 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Kyra Carusa wins a throw for Ireland which McCabe takes and finds O’Sullivan who then feeds Littlejohn.

Caitlyn Hayes then tries to loop the ball up along the wing for McCabe to chase but it’s slightly overcooked.

Good first 10 minutes from Ireland. Enjoying lots of the possession and looking lively on the ball.

10 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Nasty collision between Jessie Stapleton and Heather Payne in the middle of the field. But both appear ok and on we go again.

McCabe then wins a free from Josephine Green in the Ireland defence. Courtney Brosnan comes out to take it short.

11 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

CLOSE!

Lovely cross from Russell there. She was looking for Carusa but the ball glazes past and takes a touch of a Wales player along the way.

15 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Wales win a free-kick after Littlejohn catches Rachel Rowe a little too aggressively when she tried to get by.

The delivery is initially cleared, and then comes to Jess Fishlock who gets a shot on target but it’s fair too tame to trouble Brosnan.

16 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Wales offside!

The flag goes up against Fishlock but that was a bit too close for comfort as a ball in behind puts her into a one-on-one scenario. Brosnan lunges in time to smother the ball but Ireland need to be more watchful. 

16 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Yellow card for McCabe after a late challenge on Green.

19 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Russell puts sufficient pressure on a clearance from Clark and the ball sails out for an Irish throw.

21 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Another great piece of defensive work from Russell in the Wales box to win another throw. Stapleton tries to clip the ball in which comes back to her and she loses possession in the process.

McCabe then wins a free in an inviting position. The captain is going to swing it in.

21 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Patten gets her head on it at the back post but her effort is over the bar.

22 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

POST!!

What a shot from Denise O’Sullivan. Beautifully elevated and it looked for a moment to be heading for the top bin. But the woodwork gets in the way at the vital moment.

Ireland have another corner to come.

21 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

WIDE!

McCabe this time tries her luck from outside the box. Again, it’s marginally wide.

28 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Russell is pressing really well on the Welsh defence. The rest of the Irish team follow her example and eventually force a turnover in possession. Quality stuff from Ireland, and hopefully they can sustain this.

30 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Ireland come close again with two shots one after another!

Russell is first up with a close range shot that gets blocked away. Payne then pounces on the rebound to try and apply the finishing touch. But her left-footed effort fizzes wide.

30 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Littlejohn gets dispossessed as Wales launch a counter-attack. Littlejohn gets back to try and make up for her mistake but ends up conceding a free.

35 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Two massive saves from Brosnan!

She gets down quickly to keep out a deadly Welsh free kick from Lily Woodham.  Rhiannon Roberts then steps up to try and score from distance after a corner eventually comes to her. But again, Brosnan is equal to the effort.

36 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

McCabe floats in a free-kick. It eventually comes back to her. She overplays her hand though and concedes a free with a heavy challenge. 

A few moments of worry as the referee runs over to her as she’s already on a yellow. It’s very much a last warning for the Ireland skipper.

41 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Penalty call as Carusa goes down but the referee has no interest in the protest. Ball then comes to Payne who manages to get the shot away but there’s no power behind it and Clark gathers comfortably.

43 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

McCabe wins a free-kick along the sideline following a heavy hit from Angharad James. Another set-piece opportunity for Ireland to make something happen with time ticking away in the first half.

44 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

WIDE!

Super half-volley there from Niamh Fahey. She connects perfectly with the ball and there’s plenty of air under it, but the radar is just slightly off.

Meanwhile, the rain is coming down hard in the Aviva.

44 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Great touch from Russell to round her opponent and create space. But the flag goes up against the Galway United star.

Half-Time! Ireland 0-0 Wales

23 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales
Denise O'Sullivan's curling shot comes back off the crossbar as Olivia Clark stranded - the hosts growing into the game after sluggish start
Updates: https://t.co/jX2E7jh6oW
Watch Live: https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/NBkrJDtk62

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 3, 2024

Second half: Ireland 0-0 Wales

46 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

Fishlock takes a heavy nudge in the air from Stapleton. The result is a free for Wales which Woodham takes. 

Ireland clear the ball away.

47 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

The referee is heading over to look at her monitor following advice from VAR.

47 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

PENALTY TO WALES!!

47 mins: Ireland 0-0 Wales

The ball brushed off the arm of Anna Patten. None of the players reacted at the time but the referee has caught it and the spot kick has been awarded.

GOAL! Ireland 0-1 Wales (Hannah Cain ’49)

50 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

Disaster for Ireland as Hannah Cain sweeps her shot inside the post. She sent Brosnan the wrong way and Wales now lead Ireland 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate. 

52 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

The pressure is really on now for Ireland as they chase an equaliser. Lots of time to go yet but they need to settle again after that setback.

53 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

Ireland corner and Littlejohn takes. Clark gets out and paws it away.

53 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

Another Wales chance!

Cain almost gets on the end of a superb Rachel Rowe run and cross. The ball slips past Caitlyn Hayes, and it’s just Cain versus Brosnan. Thankfully, the ball skids away from both.

57 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

Littlejohn stands over another Ireland corner but drills straight at Clark.

But Ireland have the ball back with a throw as the kickout heads out over the sideline.

58 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

A Heather Payne cross comes to the feet of O’Sullivan who sees her effort blocked out for a corner.

58 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

McCabe sends it in and after some bobbling off heads, the ball is cleared away and Wales head off swiftly on the counter.

60 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

BROSNAN SAVE!

What an intervention from the Ireland keeper. Absolutely crucial there to deny James. If that went in, Ireland would most likely be cooked.

Replays show there may have been a shout for handball at the other end against Fishlock.

61 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

Fishlock is down holding her head and requires treatment. Wales appear to be making some changes.

63 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

Carrie Jones and Ffion Morgan come in for Fishlock and the goalscorer Cain.

64 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

Fahey heads it forward. The ball comes to Payne for the cross but Hayley Ladd boots it away.

Another Ireland throw follows as Gleeson’s side continue to look for holes in the Welsh cover.

66 mins: Ireland 0-1 Wales

Stapleton takes a stab at it but her shot was always rising. McCabe then goes down just outside the penalty area but the referee just jogs away as the ball trickles out.

GOAL! Ireland 0-2 Wales (Carrie Jones ’67)

67 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

Another major blow for Ireland as they concede again. This time, it’s the substitute Carrie Jones who gets past the challenge of Hayes and Fahey is the only one back there but she can’t get across in time to block down the shot.

Wales lead 3-1 on aggregate as Ireland prepare to throw in some fresh legs.

70 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

McCabe tries a half volley from the edge of the square but it’s off target.

Ireland changes:

Megan Connolly replaces Littlejohn. Leanne Kiernan on for Russell and Megan Campbell comes in for Fahey. Campbell’s long throws will be a big asset for Ireland if they want to rescue this situation. 

72 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

A McCabe free-kick lands in the Wales penalty area. Clark loses possession of it on the way back down and the referee’s whistle goes to award her a free.

Time ticking away.

76 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

Free-kick awarded against Kiernan. Seems harsh, it looked like it should have been in the other direction. 

O’Sullivan and Kiernan then combine to win a throw for Ireland.

76 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

Aviva attendance tonight is 25,832.

76 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

Yellow card for Kiernan for a heavy challenge on Gemma Evans.

79 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

There’s been a lot of stoppages so time will be added on. But Ireland are in real bother here.

80 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

Wales win a corner. And then win a throw. Ireland just can’t catch a break as Payne says ‘how?’ running back towards goal.

82 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

Two more Ireland changes: Izzy Atkinson and Abbie Larkin will be coming in shortly.

84 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

Those changes have been made now as Carusa and Payne make way.

85 mins: Ireland 0-2 Wales

An Ireland corner results in another Ireland corner, which McCabe comes across to take. 

GOAL! Ireland 1-2 Wales (Anna Patten ’85)

86 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

Fantastic from Anna Patten to get her head on the McCabe corner. Her first effort comes back off the line but she bends down again and ensures her follow up rests in the net.

Ireland have given themselves a massive chance now to save their European campaign. It’s 2-3 on aggregate. 

88 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

Wales appear to be time wasting as eight minutes of added time is announced.

90 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

Megan Campbell wins an Irish throw in a spot where her long throw could create something for Ireland in the Wales penalty area.

91 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

OFF THE LINE!!

How did Wales keep that out??

92 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

Irish players appeal to the referee to check if the ball went over the line but she won’t be going to VAR.

93 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

KIERNAN DENIED!

Savage block from Rhiannon Roberts. The ball comes to O’Sullivan from the corner but again Roberts gets across to block.

95 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

Crazy confusion there between Hayes and Brosnan. They almost give the ball away in front of goal but thankfully, it goes out for a goal kick.

96 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

Another Ireland throw. Campbell, you’re up!

97 mins: Ireland 1-2 Wales

It comes to nothing as Hayes tries to keep the ball in play. Will Ireland get another chance?

Full-Time: Ireland 1-2 Wales (Wales win 3-2 on aggregate)

Ireland 1-2 Wales (Wales win 3-2 on aggregate)

Well, that’s it. The Euro 2025 dream ends in tears. Anna Patten’s goal threw them a lifeline but they just left themselves with too much to do in the end.

The penalty just after half-time, along with the second goal from Carrie Jones killed them in the end. Such a cruel outcome after putting themselves in a strong position after the first leg.

Well, that’s all from us, folks.

Hope you enjoyed the coverage this evening, result aside. Stay tuned for Emma Duffy’s match report from the Aviva.

Until next time, good luck!