Watch: The incredible scenes as Wales qualify for first major tournament
By David Owens·
Wales' players and staff celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Credit: Damian Eagers/PA Wire
It was a night every Welsh football fan will remember - the moment when Wales' women's football team qualified for their first major international tournament.
Cymru made history after goals from Hannah Cain and Carrie Jones gave them a 2-1 Euro 2025 play-off second leg victory over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Rhian Wilkinson’s team triumphed 3-2 on aggregate as they progressed to next summer’s European Championship in Switzerland and the celebrations were unconfined on the pitch as the full-time whistle blew.
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Leicester forward Cain’s 50th-minute penalty came after a VAR check showed the ball had struck Anna Patten’s arm from a Wales free-kick.
She kept her cool to put Wales ahead following her recent return to action after a second major knee injury, then substitute Jones struck 17 minutes later.
Patten scored in the 86th minute to ensure a nervous finish for Wales that included a goal-line clearance from the visitors during eight minutes of added time that Ireland dominated, but they held out to spark wild scenes of celebration at the Aviva Stadium.
Wales' Carrie Jones (left) celebrates scoring their side's second goal with team-mate Rachel Rowe during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Credit: Damian Eagers/PA WireWales' Gemma Evans (second left to right), Mary McAteer, Ella Powell, Carrie Jones, Ceri Holland and team-mates celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Credit: Damian Eagers/PA WireWales' players and staff celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Credit: Damian Eagers/PA Wire
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Wales' Hannah Cain (centre right), Rhiannon Roberts (second right), Jess Fishlock (left) and team-mates celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Credit: Damian Eagers/PA WireWales' Lily Woodham (centre right) and team-mates celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Credit: Damian Eagers/PA WireWales' Carrie Jones (left) celebrates scoring their side's second goal with team-mate Ffion Morgan during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday December 3, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Republic Women. Photo credit should read: Damian Eagers/PA Wire.Wales' Carrie Jones (left) celebrates scoring their side's second goal with team-mate Rachel Rowe during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday December 3, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Republic Women. Photo credit should read: Damian Eagers/PA Wire.Wales' Hannah Cain (centre right), Rhiannon Roberts (second right), Jess Fishlock (left) and team-mates celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday December 3, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Republic Women. Photo credit should read: Damian Eagers/PA Wire.
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(left to right) Wales' Amy James-Turner, Ceri Holland, Josie Green and Charlie Estcourt celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Qualifying play off round two, second leg match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in Ireland. Picture date: Tuesday December 3, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Republic Women. Photo credit should read: Damian Eagers/PA Wire.
(Credit: BBC Wales)
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Nervous at the end, so much injury time, but expectation has grown as the result have also. I just hope the FAW and Adidas make more of their away jerseys available. There is a growth towards our ladies game that must be kept. They are a long way from me first watching in Rodney parade with so few fans you could swap ends with the team at half time. So excited for the Euro's now. No fear, just try their best and we will all be their.
A wonderful achievement! Let us hope that our football authorities, alongside Welsh Government and our indigenous media, get right behind the team and really promote them with lots of publicity and visits across our schools, town centres, etc. Once the tournament starts it will be 'England this, England that' with the London broadcasters going on out about 'our national team, our country'. We have to shout loud and proud for our women!
