England Lionesses Secure First Victory in Euro 2025 Qualifiers
England’s Lionesses have secured their first win in the Euro 2025 qualifiers with a comfortable display against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. The victory comes after a shaky start to their European title defense, drawing 1-1 with Sweden in their previous match.
Lauren James opened the scoring for England with an early goal, calmly stroking in a deflected header from Lucy Bronze. Defender Alex Greenwood then doubled England’s lead with a penalty, although she missed a second spot-kick before halftime.
The Republic of Ireland, who currently sit at the bottom of the group with two defeats, struggled to find a response throughout the match. Despite two significant chances for defender Caitlin Hayes in the second half, they were unable to find a breakthrough.
Captain Leah Williamson made her return to the England squad after a year, bringing composure and intensity from the backline. Midfielder Keira Walsh was also a standout performer, impressing with her passing ability.
Pressure was on England to perform after their lackluster display in their previous match, and manager Sarina Wiegman made five changes to the starting XI, including the return of Williamson. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton also made an appearance, replacing Mary Earps.
Although it was not a convincing performance from the European champions, they did enough to secure the win and potentially build momentum in a challenging qualifying group. The victory could be the catalyst they need to find their form and defend their European title.
Looking ahead, England will face France in their next match in May. France currently maintains their lead at the top of the group with a 1-0 win over Sweden earlier on Tuesday. It will be a crucial match for England as they aim to close the gap and secure qualification for next summer’s tournament in Switzerland.
In conclusion, England’s Lionesses have bounced back from their draw against Sweden with a comfortable victory over the Republic of Ireland. The win puts them in a better position in the Euro 2025 qualifiers and gives them the confidence they need to continue their title defense. With key players returning and improvements shown in Dublin, England will be looking to build momentum and secure their place in next summer’s tournament.