![Alessia Russo – England's laboured victory puts them one point from automatic qualification for Euros](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/07/12/TELEMMGLPICT000385400371_17208220526520_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqII6nlI3ROB5AI1913IYmHcyozjyQdLe7QiPvaah7TvI.jpeg?imwidth=680)
England’s laboured victory puts them one point from automatic qualification for Euros
![Alessia Russo – England's laboured victory puts them one point from automatic qualification for Euros](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/07/12/TELEMMGLPICT000385400371_17208220526520_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqII6nlI3ROB5AI1913IYmHcyozjyQdLe7QiPvaah7TvI.jpeg?imwidth=680)
England 2 Republic of Ireland 1
We should probably be used to this by now. Another England display that was not entirely convincing, rarely fluid and at times, worryingly disjointed, but yet another vital victory secured and important progress made.
This was a get-the-job-done sort of evening for England, who did enough to get the win they needed over the Republic of Ireland and little more.
The result was all that mattered and it showed as Sarina Wiegman’s side took an early lead through Alessia Russo and then looked to control the game, while using up as little energy as possible.
It was not a thrilling game and neither was it one of England’s best performances, but it did not need to be and the win sets up a thrilling clash with Sweden on Tuesday to secure automatic qualification for next summer’s European Championship.
These are thankless sorts of games for international teams. England were expected to be too strong for Ireland and were, but the performance will still draw some criticism, especially for the way the Lionesses lost their way in the first half.
There were too many mistakes, a loose pass here, a half-hearted challenge there to convince anyone that England can go to Gothenburg and win comfortably next week, but as we have seen with the men’s team this summer, getting the win is the most important thing.
The fact the Lionesses were able to do so while rotating the squad to keep some of their biggest names fresh for Tuesday night is also a positive. If there has been a criticism of Wiegman, both during her time in charge of the Netherlands as well as England, it is her reluctance to chop and change when she knows her strongest team.
But Hannah Hampton, picked ahead of a fit again Mary Earps in goal, Alex Greenwood, returned to the starting XI in place of Millie Bright at centre-back, Maya Le Tissier, preferred to the rested Lucy Bronze at right-back and Jessica Park, given the nod over Ella Toone as a number 10, all started at Carrow Road. All four could be on the bench for the tougher test against Sweden, but this was sensible management in the circumstances.
England also had more than enough chances to deliver a more comprehensive beating. Beth Mead and Lauren Hemp both failed to convert in the first half and they had to wait until just before the hour mark for the cushion of a second goal as Georgia Stanway converted a penalty after Hemp had been brought down.
Ireland made things as difficult and as competitive as they could and got a late consolation through Julie Russell, with the last kick of the game, but ruthless and efficient seems to be the English way these days.
England beat Ireland in Euros qualifier: As it happened . . .
Sarina Wiegman speaks on her side’s 2-1 victory over Ireland
On the win:
“I’m happy with the result - we started really well. The best goals and when they go over many players.
“After that we created many chances, but we should have kept playing in the pockets. We were sloppy at times, we created some great moments but also some moments where we spent too much time on the ball.
“Of course I was very frustrated with their goal in the 90+ minute.”
On getting caught in possession:
“We kept playing short a lot and I think we should have skipped players a little more or played in the pocket or in behind.”
On Tuesday’s fixture with Sweden:
“Well the team knows that Sweden is going to be a total different game; a different opponent and system. Its a different game and we always know what we want to do better.”
On England’s relentless press:
“Today I thought the team was really aggressive in press and that we want to keep doing, but you cant do that for 90 minutes in a game and at times your have to drop deeper.”
On the changes she made for today’s game:
“We did some management of loads and we also had some yellow cards so we wanted to manage that.”
England dominated Ireland tonight and should come away feeling very confident. They will need to be even better to get a result against Sweden, but with only a draw needed to qualify for the Euros, Wiegman’s side are in the driver’s seat.
Jess Park has her say on her impeccable performance
On getting the win:
“Yeah, job’s done - we got the three points. Obviously disappointed to concede that goal late but we had loads of chances to score throughout the game and so we’re happy with the performance.”
On having to be patient to get her chance:
“I’m always ready and trying to do whatever I can on the training field to get me on the pitch.”
On the next game against Sweden:
“We’re so focused, we’ve been focused and been in prep camps and we just wanna get those three points.”
What a performance from the young attacking midfielder - she has a bright future as a Lioness for sure.
Full-time: England 2-1 Ireland
A great moment for Ireland at the end there to get themselves a goal the so desperately needed. It all came from one of Campbell’s trademark long throws - often your most dangerous attacking substitute is not your back-up central defender, but Campbell contradicts these old ways of thinking...
The Lionesses were in charge for almost every minute of this match, only letting up for short periods. They never really looked in danger and showed flashes of brilliance led by a blistering high press. An important win on their road to Euros qualification.
GOAL
90+4 mins: England 2-1 Ireland
There isn’t much space between the touchline and the advertising board for Campbell to send one in. But nevertheless she England don’t clear their lines properly and Ireland can bumble the ball into the six yard box. Julie Russell is the beneficiary who swivels and volleys from point blank range to give Ireland their first goal of the tournament.
A great moment for Ireland but ultimately it wont be enough to help them qualify, or prevent them from losing this game.
90 mins: England 2-0 Ireland
Beaver-Jones can drive forward immediately, carrying the ball forward with power and presence. She plays Charles through out wide who crosses in to Chloe Kelly. It’s a difficult one - she has to follow from hip-height - and it ultimately ends up well past the right post.
Beaver-Jones again weaves through the Irish defence, illustrating her dynamic dribbling talent. She finds Stanway who strikes the ball cleanly from about 25 yards, coming close to giving England a spectacular third.
87 mins: England 2-0 Ireland
England in search of a third, Hemp battles with Hayes on the edge of the six yard box, with Hemp sneaking the ball away from the Irish defender. She plays it out wide, but the subsequent cross is looped into Brosnan’s hand
Hemp then makes way for another debutant, Aggie Beaver-Jones who scored 11 goals this season in the WSL for Chelsea.
France have also retaken the lead against Sweden.
80 mins: England 2-0 Ireland
Kiernan with some nice movement off the ball for Ireland there, finding some space between the English centre backs and then driving out wide, earning Ireland a much-needed corner.
Ireland are in desperate need of their first goal of the qualifiers thus far. The corner is dangerous but met by a strong punch from Hampton.
Jess Naz breaks away and looks to be through but is pulled down. That will surely be a yellow card.
69 mins: England 2-0 Ireland
Great chance for England there after a nice bit of skill from Lauren Hemp gives her space on the left-hand side of the box. She floats in a cross but it is well dealt with by Hayes who heads clear.
England come back again with Jess park who drives from the left flank centrally. She decides to take the shot on herself from 25 yards which Brosnan gratefully claims comfortably.
67 mins: England 2-0 Ireland
On comes Meghan Campbell and here it begins. England will be very wary of giving away a throw-in, basically anywhere, as her 40 metre missiles prove a significant danger.
64 mins: England 2-0 Ireland
Ireland seem devoid of ideas here as the pressure of the Lionesses seems insurmountable.
Russo finds some space on the left wing following a deep kick from goalkeeper Hampton. However, Ireland are able to clear their lines. England look dangerous every time they progress the ball here.
60 mins: England 2-0 Ireland
Beth Mead makes way for Chloe Kelly following that tough challenge on her early in the second-half which she has been unable to shake off.
Kelly is a dynamic goal scorer and knows a thing or two about scoring from the bench - I direct you to the final of Euro 2022.
In other news Sweden have equalised against France in the other fixture in Group A3.
59 mins: England 2-0 Ireland
England are hounding Irish defenders like a pack of wolves, giving them no time on the ball. This was clearly a point of emphasis from Wiegman at half-time as they now look relentless in their pursuit to regain possession.
Twice since the game restarted they have come close to dispossessing Brosnan, and have already enjoyed the fruits of their labour. Excellent start to the half.
51 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Big chance for England as the versatile 22 year-old Jess Park darts down the right wing, beating her marker. She sends a low ball through seeking out Russo who slides in its direction., but it wizzes just past her boot. England come very close there - it probably needed only the slightest of touches to reach the back of the net.
49 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Bright start for England as the substitutes seem to have injected some much needed energy. Their press comes close to catching out the Irish goalkeeper Brosnan, but she is able to clear at the last moment.
Mead latches onto the clearance and is shunted into the advertising board by Patten. That one looked like it hurt... Thankfully she soldiers on.
45 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Multiple changes from both sides here.
Leanne Kiernan of Liverpool and Julie-Ann Russell are on for Ireland. A needed change in their attack where they hope to prompt some creativity. Emily Murphy and Amber Barrett sit down.
For England, Niamh Charles in on having returned from her calf injury, whilst Millie Bright joins her. Jess Carter and Captain Leah Williamson make way.
Half-time verdict
It’s been pretty one-way traffic but England have only managed one goal.. which is very similar to how the story went when these two teams met back at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium a few months ago. The Lionesses had multiple goal-scoring opportunities that night but only came away with a 2-0 win after Ireland grew into the match. The same has happened in that first half - the hosts lost a bit of momentum towards the end there and allowed Ireland to craft a few half chances through set-pieces. Georgia Stanway has been particularly impressive in that holding midfield position - the Bayern Munich playmaker has been everywhere - and has been instrumental to engineering much of the Lionesses’ go-forward in attack.
HALF-TIME: England 1-0 Ireland
Ireland to send a free kick in on the stroke of half-time. It’s a decent ball in by Littlejohn, but Murphy is deemed offside and the referee calls time on the first-half.
What started a dynamic, end-to-end affair has been bogged down by slower passing and indecision. England have had their chances, but Brosnan has held firm, preventing the score from getting out of hand. Ireland have not shown much attacking threat, but will be encouraged by the carelessness of the English defence in possession, which they have gone very close to punishing.
Both teams will need an injection of energy in the second-half.
44 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Russo beats her marker on the right wing and then drives down the flank, too quick for any Lionesses to help support her.
Away from this fixture, France are now 1-0 up against Sweden. This means that as things stand, England would need only to avoid a loss against Sweden on Tuesday to qualify for the Euros.
A lot still to play for...
41 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
It has been interesting to see how Ireland have grown in confidence.
Seemingly minute by minute they have stepped up their press and England look on the verge of a mistake in possession which could be punished.
However, as they press higher, the space in behind grows, and England will be looking to Stanway and Park to break and attack the Irish defence.
40 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
England’s press is working well here and they earn themselves a thrown in in the Irish half. Jess Park again comes driving forward before spraying a pass into Mead’s feet, who is unable to control the ball.
Ireland come storming the other way, eventually earning themselves a corner following a nice bit of skill from Barrett.
Jess Park is gliding through the defence
I’ve been thoroughly impressed with Jess Park, who has looked sparky going forward but isn’t afraid to get stuck in. She did brilliantly to rob Ireland’s Lily Agg of possession and start a promising attack through Russo down the left. Ireland have restructured themselves a bit - they look like they’ve switched to a 3-5-2 in an attempt to get some sort of foothold in this game. Meanwhile Mary Earps, who was named on the bench tonight with Hannah Hampton preferred in goal, has just gone for a jog down the touchline - and a corner of Carrow Road has broken out into a raucous cheer. The SPOTY winner, now of PSG, is still clearly adored for her heroics in last year’s World Cup final which England lost to Spain. Sunday will feel like a Women’s World Cup tribute act.
35 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
A better spell of possession here for Ireland as O’Sullivan finds some space on the halfway line. She looks to Ziu with a curving pass but that is dealt with expertly by Greenwood.
The English defence has not seen much danger here but as the intensity and tempo have dropped, Ireland have found themselves firmly back in this game
Hampton almost gives the ball away when she gets caught with the ball under her feet. Ireland coming very close to scoring there.
30 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Jess park makes a great run down the left flank before playing in Russo. It seems to be an easy one for Mannion to clear, but Russo shows incredible pace to dart in front and get to the byline. Her cutback is struck by Mead but blocked well.
England come again with a dangerous cross from Carter, who overlapped down the left flank. It is dealt with well by Brosnan who has had so much to do in this first 30 mins.
26 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
England moving the ball nicely with Stanway playing conductor in the middle of the park.
She is playing with intensity, driving the ball forward and spraying passes with positive intent over and over. Ireland seem unable to press her or get the ball out of her feet. A key reason why England have been able to attain such high possession share in this game.
24 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Somewhat of a lull in England’s play here which is being exploited by Ireland. Again a long ball finds an Irish head and Agg looks to have some space to attack Williamson.
They defend well, but the air is dominated by green shirts right now and England will want to ensure they keep the pressure on.
20 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Williamson gets caught on the ball and Barrett is able to break down the right wing. However she recovers well and quells the danger. A moment of alarm in what has otherwise been an overwhelmingly dominant display from the Lionesses.
Brosnan’s goal is getting peppered and she continues to play passes which the English attack are intercepting.
Park is playing well
That’s twice Jess Park has gone on a mazy run into the penalty area, and twice has ignored shouts from the crowd to ‘Shoooot!’ by slipping a pass to Beth Mead to her left. A sign of under confidence perhaps from the young forward, who is earning only her ninth senior cap tonight. England are currently running rings around the Irish, who have been so sloppy defensively so far.
18 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Yet another chance for England as Park is played through. She drives to the edge of the box and lets off a scorcher to the left side of the goal, which Brosnan meets well.
As the teams go in for a much needed water break Ireland will feel lucky to only be down by one. They must stop the bleeding before this game gets out of reach
England up one
It’s been a dream start for the Lionesses on a greasy pitch. Alessia Russo will get all the credit for the composure she showed in rounding the keeper but that goal was made by the boot of Beth Mead, who’s deft touch through to the Arsenal forward was simply sublime. England are dominating the midfield - Georgia Stanway, who was also involved in the build up to England’s opener, is being given far too much space to surge forward at the moment.
14 mins: England 1-0 Ireland
Walsh plays Park through down the middle again who finds Mead on the edge of the box . She cuts inside and shoots but its deflected out for a corner.
Greenwood’s corner is dangerous but ultimately cleared. Nevertheless, England pile on the pressure after a scramble in the box. The Lionesses are trying to pass it in with Hemp finally taking on the shot. It deflects out to Carter whose shot is also saved.
Huge chance for England there as Ireland are holding on by a thread.
6 mins - England 1 - 0 Ireland
Another chance for England as Stanway again comes rampaging through the centre of midfield, ending up in the Irish box. However she is unable to get the ball out of her feet, and Ireland recover.
Down the other end Ireland break with some space on the right wing, but Barrett’s shot is straight at Hampton who comfortably catches.
An electric start to the game.
GOAL
4 mins - England 1 - 0 Ireland
Excellent interplay between Walsh, Mead, and Park, England getting their triangles set up nicely.
Stanway plays a one-two to find space in the middle of the park. She then plays an incisive pass into Beth Mead who with one touch, slots Russo through who is able to take it around the keeper.
A fantastic and rapid team goal, Wiegman will be delighted with that one.
1 min - England 0 - 0 Ireland
Both teams take the knee and then England get the game underway.
Ireland are playing with a back three despite changes to the defensive line.
England immediately get on the front foot after a fantastic searching ball from Williamson all the way to Hemp on the right wing. The Lionesses work the ball into Stanway in the right channel but can’t break through that compact Irish defence.
Promising start.
Kick-off is upon us
After a rousing set of anthems the teams line up for what should be a cracker. Both teams, for different reasons, will want to attack from the off and make sure they win this game.
England captain Williamson with a stony look of confidence and focus as ‘God Save the King’ rings round the stadium. England must avoid an upset and get one step in the door to Euro 2026.
Beth Mead is on fire
Her CV is ridiculous. She’s won BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the Euros, WSL golden boots and even an MBE. She leads the WSL in total assists, and ranks second in goal contributions.
Mead will be relied on heavily if England are to qualify for the Euros and defend their title. Look to her tonight as England’s attacking spearhead.
She currently ranks seventh in all time goals for England and will move up to sixth with a goal tonight, surpassing Eniola Aluko.
Wiegman has her say
Head coach Sarina Wiegman speaking on her decision to start Maya Le Tissier over England stalwart Lucy Bronze.
“Because she is fit. She has done really well in training sessions, showing many great things and we think this is the right moment”
Jess Park was also selected as one of the 3 changes to Wiegman’s side, and she spoke on what she is looking from the young forward.
“Tightness on the ball, being in pockets and making sure she is in the right place,” said Wiegman, highlighting the creative potential of Park.
On the opponents:
“We are definitely not complacent, this group is really tough and this is a very important game.
“Ireland are doing well but their opponents are good too.
“We had a very good first-half against them last time out”.
England will be looking to pile more misery on this Irish side who are yet to score in the group.
Don’t miss out
The Lionesses know they can guarantee their qualification to Euro 2026 with wins in their next two games against Ireland tonight and then Sweden on Tuesday.
Having failed to qualify for the Olympics this summer due to an underwhelming UEFA Nations League campaign, England will want to make absolutely sure they get the maximum points from their remaining fixtures to give themselves the chance to defend their European Championship title.
Long range danger
In the reverse fixture, which England won 2-0, they were rocked by an aerial bombardment conducted by Ireland’s Megan Campbell.
Launching the ball from 40m away, the English defence was certainly rattled by the unpredictability of such a delivery.
“Opposition players say it’s worse than a corner because you can’t judge the trajectory of it, as the ball comes in a lot flatter and faster, whereas a corner could be more loopy and curled,” Campbell tells Telegraph Sport. “With a throw-in, you can’t really tell. When it’s coming in at you that fast it can be harder to judge. We were causing chaos and mayhem.”
The Lionesses will need to be vigilant and organised to avoid potential calamity, if and when Campbell arrives on the pitch.
England’s Opponents
Ireland come into this fixture with a huge shake up to the team, swapping out five of their starters.
Captain Katie McCabe, missing out through injury, is replaced by Denise O’Sullivan, who will wear the armband tonight. Ruesha Littlejohn, Niamh Fahey, Amber Barrett, and Emily Murphy all come into a side in desperate need of a result, having lost their first four fixtures in Group A3. Ireland are yet to score a goal thus far and so will be hoping a switch up in attack, with Kyra Carusa no longer in the squad, and a switch to a four-back defence, will ignite some attacking threat.
Ireland XI: Brosnan (GK); Fahey, Patten, Hayes, Mannion; Murphy, Littlejohn, Barrett, Agg, O’Sullivan; Ziu
Subs: Moloney, Whitehouse, Stapleton, Campbell, Quinn, Connolly, Russell, Toland, Sheva, Larkin, Kiernan, Atkinson
Team news
Mary Earps again misses out due to her hip injury, paving the way for Hannah Hampton to stand between the sticks. Le Tissier comes in for Lucy Bronze and young forward Beth Park replaces Ella Toone. Finally Alex Greenwood returns to the side having been featured in the WSL Team of the Year this season. A strong line up chosen by head coach Sarina Wiegman in what is a must-win game.
England XI: Hampton; Le Tissier, Carter Walsh, Williamson (c); Greenwood, Mead, Stanway; Russo, Park, Hemp.
Subs: Bronze, Earps (GK), Toone, Bright, Kelly, Beever-Jones, Clinton, Charles, Naz, Keating (GK), Morgan, Turner.
Millie Bright says criticism is part of the game
England defender Millie Bright is comfortable with the increased scrutiny the side receives as she understands it is a result of growing expectations.
The Lionesses won Euro 2022 and finished runners-up at last summer’s World Cup but currently sit third in the qualifying group for next year’s tournament where they will hope to defend their title.
Third place would send them into a play-off but they can put a different complexion on things with matches against the Republic of Ireland tonight and second-placed Sweden over the next week.
It is not a situation they are overly familiar with but Bright accepts they have to take any criticism which comes their way.
“It’s part of the game,” she said.
![Millie Bright of England reacts during a Training Session at Carrow Road on July 11, 2024 in Norwich, England](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/07/12/TELEMMGLPICT000385203609_17208028309890_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqE2XjdrYCNd3pnDOjqZKCS_mJDQle8zhAnRj3nA8oxTY.jpeg?imwidth=350)
“The expectation from fans and outsiders out of our bubble is always going to keep growing and growing but when you are in the game you have more of an appreciation of how much harder it is to win and perform.
“It is not just us who are developing, it is every other nation and every other individual player who has taken their game to another level so we have to find another level.
“That is just the evolution of football really and being an elite performer.
“We can all come off the pitch knowing you have given your heart and soul to the performance and to being better and sometimes it doesn’t happen, sometimes there are bad performances, sometimes the opponent is better.
“We know the expectations of fans is super-high because we have had such success they expect it every time.
“That’s fine as we expect it ourselves but the reality is that’s not always going to be the case and then we just have to adapt as a team and stick together and I think we showed that in the last camp against France [when they bounced back from losing to the French in Newcastle to win in Saint-Etienne].”
Bright said that 2-1 win on foreign soil, coming just four days after losing by the same scoreline at St James’ Park, has now set the benchmark for them.
“Football, as ever, is unpredictable and the standards are constantly rising,” she said.
“I think they (performances against France) were two games of very different performances, and we’ll be the first, as players, to say when it needs to be better.
“But as always, we push our standards and there were lots of positives to take out of that and I think we bounced back really well.
“We saw the levels that we want to get back to, and that’s the bare minimum now.”
Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who lists Everton, Arsenal, West Ham and Bordeaux among her former clubs, has received her first call-up at the age of 29.
“I wouldn’t say I was resigned to the fact it was never going to happen. There was always a small hope it was going to happen,” she said.
“I wouldn’t say I ever completely put it off the table but it was getting smaller and smaller but I’m so happy it’s happened.”
By Carl Markham, PA