The Republic of Ireland host England in the second of their 2025 Women’s European Championship qualifiers this evening with the hopes of inflicting another painful result on Sarina Wiegman’s side.
The Lionesses are the defending European champions and will want to perform strongly during qualifying before the tournament begins in Switzerland next summer. They started their defence in disappointing fashion as a well drilled and focused Sweden held them to a 1-1 draw at Wembley last week.
With France, who defeated Ireland in their opener, also in the ‘group of death’ England know that they cannot afford to drop points against their close neighbours if they hope to qualify without too much trouble. That will not be an easy task though, Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s sixth minute goal was the only thing separating France and Ireland last time out and manager Eileen Gleeson will believe her team can achieve a shock result.
Such is the importance of the game that England captain Leah Williamson will make her first start for in over a year when the teams clash tonight. The 27-year-old has not featured for the Lionesses since suffering an ACL injury in April 2023, which forced her to miss last summer’s World Cup.
Follow all the action from Euro 2025 qualifying below, plus get the latest odds and tips here:
Ireland vs England LIVE
Republic of Ireland host England in a Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier, live on ITV1 and ITV X
The hosts lost 1-0 to France in their opening match while the Lionesses drew 1-1 with Sweden
Ireland XI: Brosnan; Payne, Hayes, Quinn, Patten, Mannion; Quinn, Littlejohn, O’Sullivan, McCabe (c); Carusa.
England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter; Walsh, Toone, Park; James, Russo, Hemp
England captain Leah Williamson starts for first time since April 2023 following ACL injury
Republic of Ireland vs England
19:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s nearly 40 years since these two last met, an improbable gap between fixtures. Can Ireland cause a shock? Out the players come in their anthem jackets on a relatively chilly evening in Dublin.
Republic of Ireland vs England
19:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There will be no goalline technology or VAR in operation tonight. The experienced Lina Lehtovaara of Finland, who was part of the officiating team at last year’s World Cup, is the referee.
Sarina Wiegman speaks to ITV ahead of kick off
19:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“It’s not down to an injury,” Wiegman confirms of Hannah Hampton’s selection ahead of Mary Earps. “We are in a luxury position of having two incredible goalkeepers. Hannah is doing a great job with Chelsea and has grown into a competition with Mary. This is a moment for her to shine.
“It’s really good to have Leah back as a leader, it’s great for her and the team. Hopefully she will enjoy.
“We think Ireland will drop deeper and the spaces will be small. Jess Park is good in tight space and we’ll play a lot higher with our midfield. It’s a good opportunity for them.”
(Nigel French/PA Wire)
Leah Williamson is back in England colours
19:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A significant moment for the England captain as she makes a long-awaited return to the Lionesses starting side.
(The FA via Getty Images)
Kyra Carusa looks to get after England defence
18:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It was a relatively lonely night for Kyra Carusa in Metz last week, the striker an isolated figure leading the line for Ireland against France. Now playing in the NWSL with her hometown San Diego Wave after a short stint with the London City Lionesses last year, Carusa has the ability to cause England real problems, and should have more support with a slightly tweaked Irish system behind her.
Big chance for Hannah Hampton
18:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There are plenty within the game that think it may not be too long before Hananh Hampton unseats Mary Earps as England’s number one, which would have been close to unthinkable after last summer’s World Cup. But Hampton’s outstanding Women’s Super League form for Chelsea is proving tougher and tougher to ignore, and she’s got youth on her side. Can she take her opportunity tonight?
(The FA via Getty Images)
Ireland to wear black armbands
18:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There will be a moment of silence ahead of kick off tonight in the memory of the wife of Republic of Ireland assistant coach Colin Healy, who recently passed away. The hosts will be wearing black armbands.
Ireland’s plan for England will be another test of Sarina Wiegman’s midfield puzzle
18:35 , Jamie Braidwood
The Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson was evidently pleased with himself. At the end of a frustrating night for the Lionesses at Wembley on Friday, Gerhardsson revealed how his side had managed to disrupt England’s midfield fulcrum Keira Walsh, leading to a sloppy performance in possession from the European champions. A few moments later, Sarina Wiegman dismissed the notion that Sweden and Gerhardsson had found the magic formula. Of course the visitors had a plan to stop Walsh, Wiegman replied. England have come to expect it every game.
There will be no surprises, then, as the Lionesses pick themselves up and travel to Dublin for their first fixture against the Republic of Ireland since 1987. A historic occasion awaits the hosts ahead of just their second match at the Aviva, with over 30,000 tickets sold for the Euro 2025 qualifier. England know what is coming: “Compact, physical, disciplined, good on the counterattack,” Wiegman explained. Or, in other words, exactly what the Lionesses struggled against when they were held by Sweden.
Ireland’s plan for England will be another test of Sarina Wiegman’s midfield puzzle
Team news – Ireland
18:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A couple of changes for Ireland from the defeat to France, with Lucy Quinn brought in to add extra attacking threat and Ruesha Littlejohn also promoted to the starting side.
Ireland XI: Brosnan; Payne, Hayes, Quinn, Patten, Mannion; Quinn, Littlejohn, O’Sullivan, McCabe (c); Carusa.
Team news – England
18:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hannah Hampton gets an opportunity in goal for England as Leah Williamson makes her first start since returning from her ACL tear.
England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter; Walsh, Toone, Park; James, Russo, Hemp.
England search for greater attacking threat
18:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Alessia Russo admitted after England’s draw with Sweden that the Lionesses needed to demand more from themselves, with Wembley slightly flatter than usual as the hosts failed to move through the gears. While Sarina Wiegman’s side had plenty of possession, clear chances were hard to come by, while the visitors’ focus on Keira Walsh seemed to work in preventing England from finding their flow. Will they be better in Dublin tonight?
(PA Wire)
Can Ireland frustrate England?
18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The expectation is that Ireland will persist with the strategy that caused France such frustration last week, getting players behind the ball and trying to hold firm. While Eileen Gleeson’s side conceded after just six minutes in Metz, they were resolute thereafter despite allowing 21 shots.
Republic of Ireland return to Aviva Stadium
17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
We’re expecting a strong crowd at the beautifully designed Aviva Stadium this evening, with a record attendance a possibility in Dublin. “I am so happy that the game is at this stadium,” Leah Williamson said yesterday. “This many people coming to watch women’s football is a huge credit to what Ireland have done over the last couple of years as well. We must enjoy that.”
(Getty Images)
Wins for Wales and Northern Ireland in qualifying action
17:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s a busy day of qualifying action with Scotland joining our combatants in kicking off a little later, but Wales and Northern Ireland have each already secured success this afternoon. Jess Fishlock, winning her 150th international cap, helped put Wales in control with two first-half assists against Kosovo as Rhian Wilkinson’s side cruised to a 6-0 win, while Northern Ireland emerged 3-1 victors against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.
Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland accused of ‘scandalous’ funding cut to jeopardise growth of women’s football
17:15 , Jamie Braidwood
The Swiss government has been warned it risks stalling the growing momentum of women’s football in Europe following the “scandalous” decision to cut its funding for Euro 2025.
In 2008, Switzerland was supported in its joint-hosting of the men’s European Championships with a package of £71m (82m Swiss Francs) from its Federal Council, but the amount allocated for next summer’s women’s tournament has been dramatically reduced to just £3.5m (4m Swiss Francs).
The staging of Euro 2025 in Switzerland follows the record-breaking Euro 2022 in England, where the Lionesses defeated Germany in the final in front of a sold-out Wembley at the end of a four-week tournament that smashed several attendance records.
Euro 2022 was a huge success for Uefa and proved to be a landmark moment for women’s football in Europe, with the total attendance of 574,875 more than doubling the previous record, set in the Netherlands in 2017.
Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland accused of ‘scandalous’ funding cut
How does Euro 2025 qualifying work? League format and play-off rounds explained
16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The Lionesses defeated Germany to win Euro 2022 in front of a sold-out Wembley and will be looking to reach another major tournament showpiece following their run to the Women’s World Cup final last year.
But changes to the European Qualifiers format means Sarina Wiegman’s side face a challenge to reach the Euro 2025 finals, at least in comparison to their run of one-sided victories in qualifying for the last World Cup.
Defending champions England face Sweden, France and the Republic of Ireland in Group A3 of the Euro 2025 qualifiers – a group that features three of the four semi-finalists from the last Euros and three of the top five teams in the world. Here’s how the Euro 2025 qualifying works:
How does Euro 2025 qualifying work? League format and play-off rounds explained
Ireland hope to build on encouraging France performance
16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ireland launched their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to France in Metz on Friday evening courtesy of Paris St Germain striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s sixth-minute goal, which came after Michelle Lakrar had turned Kenza Dali’s free-kick back across goal.
The hosts dominated for long periods, but Eileen Gleeson’s side passed up a late chance to level in a game played just a day after the death of assistant coach Colin Healy’s wife Kelly.
McCabe said: “Some shift wasn’t it? For us, we knew it was always going to be a difficult task.
“The moment we conceded on the set-piece was very disappointing because normally we’re very good and we’re really strong at that, so that’s obviously something we’re going to be looking at to tidy up.
“We gave it our best, obviously – which we always do when we represent Ireland. All we can do now is take the positives from the game and look to build into England now.”
The Lionesses also endured a disappointing start to their campaign when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sweden at Wembley with Fridolina Rolfo cancelling out Alessia Russo’s opener.
However, they have won all seven of their previous meetings with the Republic, the last of them a 1-0 friendly victory at Dalymount Park in March 1987.
Glasgow City striker Emily Whelan has been added to the Ireland squad after West Ham’s Jess Ziu was forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury.
Katie McCabe warns England to take nothing for granted
16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Republic of Ireland skipper Katie McCabe has warned reigning champions England to take nothing for granted as the sides prepare for a Euro 2025 qualifier battle.
Ireland host Sarina Wiegman’s team at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening, hoping to build upon a committed, if ultimately fruitless, display in their Group A3 opener against France on Friday.
The Girls in Green sit in 25th place in FIFA’s world rankings with England second, although Arsenal’s McCabe insisted belief was high ahead of an eagerly-anticipated clash for which more than 30,000 tickets have been sold.
The versatile winger told a press conference: “We’re realistic, but in terms of our belief, we always believe we can go and beat anyone on our day.
“We’ve got the quality, we’ve got a world-class goalkeeper (Everton’s Courtney Brosnan), how we set up, the art of defending at times, we’ve shown our quality in how we can attack in previous games throughout the Nations League.
“So it’s about finding the balance and for us against these big teams, these big nations.
“There are only a couple of moments at this level as well, so we just need to make sure we’re on it tomorrow and decisive in those moments.”
(Getty Images)
Steph Houghton: The ‘icon’ of the game leaves women’s football in a much better place
16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Leah Williamson succeeded Steph Houghton as England captain, of course, following in the footsteps of her fellow centre-half and taking the Lionesses to new heights. But, as Sonia Twigg explained after her recent retirement announcement, it is worth remembering how influential a figure Houghton was in the growth of the side.
Steph Houghton: The ‘icon’ of the game leaves women’s football in a much better place
15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sarina Wiegman has confirmed that Leah Williamson will start for England in their European Championship qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.
The Arsenal defender is set to make her Lionesses comeback after nearly a year out following an ACL injury.
Williamson made the bench for England’s 1-1 draw against Sweden in Group A3 on Friday, but Wiegman said she would be starting against Ireland.
Tonight’s game will be Williamson’s first for the Lionesses since a friendly against Australia last April and Wiegman highlighted the 27-year-old’s strengths.
“We’ve had hard choices to make in the team because I think the competitiveness is really high and we have many options in different positions,” she said.
“I think what Leah brings us is vision, in possession she’s just very bright and finds the right pass.
“The flexibility, the defence, being able to defend the space behind her together with everyone else, because defending doesn’t just start with one player, it starts with the team, and I hope Leah will bring that to the team tomorrow.”
(Getty Images)
Sarina Wiegman gives verdict on England’s ‘disappointing’ draw with Sweden
15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England boss Sarina Wiegman conceded she was “disappointed” after her defending champions could only manage a 1-1 draw with Sweden to kick off their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign at Wembley.
Alessia Russo nodded home Lauren James’ delivery to open the scoring in the 24th minute, but it was the visitors who looked likelier to score as half-time approached.
The Lionesses preserved their lead until the 64th minute, when England’s concentration switched off and allowed Fridolina Rolfo to drift in and nod substitute Rosa Kafaji’s delivery past Mary Earps.
Wiegman said: “I think this group is really tough. Of course I’m disappointed, because we always want to win.”
Sarina Wiegman gives verdict on England’s ‘disappointing’ draw with Sweden
Ireland’s plan for England will be another test of Sarina Wiegman’s midfield puzzle
15:25 , Jamie Braidwood
The Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson was evidently pleased with himself. At the end of a frustrating night for the Lionesses at Wembley on Friday, Gerhardsson revealed how his side had managed to disrupt England’s midfield fulcrum Keira Walsh, leading to a sloppy performance in possession from the European champions. A few moments later, Sarina Wiegman dismissed the notion that Sweden and Gerhardsson had found the magic formula. Of course the visitors had a plan to stop Walsh, Wiegman replied. England have come to expect it every game.
There will be no surprises, then, as the Lionesses pick themselves up and travel to Dublin for their first fixture against the Republic of Ireland since 1987. A historic occasion awaits the hosts ahead of just their second match at the Aviva, with over 30,000 tickets sold for the Euro 2025 qualifier. England know what is coming: “Compact, physical, disciplined, good on the counterattack,” Wiegman explained. Or, in other words, exactly what the Lionesses struggled against when they were held by Sweden.
Ireland’s plan for England will be another test of Sarina Wiegman’s midfield puzzle
Republic of Ireland vs England betting tips: Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying odds and free bets
15:05 , Jamie Braidwood
England are already on the ropes as they battle to qualify for Euro 2025 after a drab 1-1 home draw against Sweden last week piled the pressure on Tuesday’s showdown with Republic of Ireland (7.30pm, ITV1).
England were tepid against the Swedes and could easily have lost the game at Wembley. That would have been a major blow to their aspirations of automatically qualifying out of a group also consisting of France and Ireland.
England are 1/4 favourites with football betting sites to beat Ireland on Tuesday, with the hosts as big as 16/1.
Republic of Ireland vs England betting tips: Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying odds and free bets
Ireland vs England predicted line-ups
15:04 , Jamie Braidwood
Predicted line-ups
Ireland XI: Brosnan; Payne, Hayes, Quinn, Patten, Mannion; Murphy, Connolly, McCabe; Carusa
England XI: Earps; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Charles; Walsh, Stanway; Mead, James, Hemp; Russo
What is the team news?
15:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Ireland will be without Jess Ziu, who has left the squad with a hamstring injury, and she was replaced by Emily Whelan.
Leah Williamson did not come on against Sweden, despite being in the squad, but could be fit enough to start after being included in the squad for the first time since her ACL rupture that ruled her out of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
How can I watch Ireland vs England?
15:01 , Jamie Braidwood
When is it?
Republic of Ireland vs England will kick off at 7.30 pm BST (7.30 pm IST) at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 9 April 2024.
How can I watch it?
The game will be shown live in the UK on ITV 1, with coverage starting from 7 pm, the match can also be streamed live via the ITVX website and app.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Welcome
15:00 , Jamie Braidwood
England take on Republic of Ireland in the second of their 2025 Women’s European Championships qualifiers.
The Lionesses are the defending champions, but the start of their defence got off to a slightly disappointing start when they were held to a 1-1 draw by a well-organised Sweden side at Wembley.
England have arguably been drawn in the qualifying ‘group of death’ with the Republic of Ireland and France in addition to Sweden.
In front of over 60,000 fans at the national stadium, Alessia Russo’s header was cancelled out by Fridolina Rolfo’s effort, as England fell short of the mark, a rare occasion under Sarina Wiegman.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match
Is Ireland vs England on TV? How to watch Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier
