Goals from Lauren James and Alex Greenwood ensured that Sarina Wiegman's side emerged victorious in Dublin, despite some shaky moments at the end
England picked up their first win in qualifying for the 2025 Women's Euro with a 2-0 victory over Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday night, bouncing back from Friday's disappointing draw against Sweden in comfortable, if unspectacular, fashion. It was relatively smooth sailing for the Lionesses once Lauren James had given them the lead after only 12 minutes, though the European champions didn't need to get out of second gear despite Ireland ending the game strongly.
It was a superb cross from Keira Walsh, the game's stand-out performer, that led to the opening goal, Lucy Bronze's header deflecting into the path of James, who made no mistake with a clinical finish inside the box. Alex Greenwood doubled the lead just six minutes later, converting from the penalty spot after Jess Park's shot was blocked by the arm of Ruesha Littlejohn, and she had the chance to score from a second spot-kick on the half-hour mark too, but saw that effort cannon back off the post.
Though that seemed a commanding lead from how little Ireland had created, and it could've been a greater one had Fran Kirby scored from Beth Mead's perfectly cushioned header, the hosts rallied late. Megan Campbell caused problems with her long throws and a Katie McCabe free-kick created a huge chance, Louise Quinn squaring the ball at the back post only for Caitlin Hayes to somehow fail to get the necessary touch to turn it into a goal.
Hayes had another opportunity a few minutes later but found Hannah Hampton in a good position to save, and then McCabe caused the goalkeeper concern when she blocked her kick, only for the Chelsea star to comfortably stop her eventual effort and preserve her clean sheet.
GOAL rates England's players from the Aviva Stadium…
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Hannah Hampton (5/10):
Struggled late on. Flapped at some of Campbell's long throws and had some shaky moments on the ball. Good positioning to deny Hayes, though.
Lucy Bronze (5/10):
Got up and down the pitch well but had some poor moments on the ball, just mis-controlling it or playing wayward passes.
Leah Williamson (7/10):
Calm and assured on her return to England action. Perhaps her best performance, even, since coming back from her ACL injury.
Alex Greenwood (7/10):
Great with one penalty, less so with the second. Brilliant on the ball.
Jess Carter (6/10):
A solid performance, especially considering it was in a position she's not played much this season.
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Keira Walsh (8/10):
Superb display that showed exactly why Sweden worked to mark her out of Friday's game. Ran the show.
Ella Toone (6/10):
Some lively moments in a hard-working display, though her passing was off.
Jess Park (6/10):
Positive and accurate in possession, tenacious and effective without it, albeit all without standing out too much.
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Lauren James (7/10):
Found it difficult to really make an impact at times, but her instinctive strike to break the deadlock set England on their way.
Alessia Russo (5/10):
Struggled for service throughout.
Lauren Hemp (5/10):
Started brightly, but wasn't involved much as the game went on.
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Fran Kirby (6/10):
Had more than half an hour to make an impact and should've scored, but struck a great chance straight at Brosnan. Made an important defensive intervention when Hayes nearly pulled one back.
Beth Mead (6/10):
Came on just before the hour with Kirby and set her fellow sub up brilliantly a few minutes later, though didn't get the assist her cushioned header deserved.
Georgia Stanway (N/A):
Introduced with around 15 minutes left, just as Ireland started to improve.
Chloe Kelly (N/A):
Came on for the final few minutes.
Rachel Daly (N/A):
Entered the match at the same time as Kelly.
Sarina Wiegman (7/10):
Picked a team that dominated the game, but also rotated to ensure freshness and opportunities for others. It didn't produce a vintage England performance, and that could start to become a concern, but it gave the Lionesses a well-needed win.