Julie-Ann Russell marked her return to the Ireland Women's National Team with a late goal in a 2-1 loss to England in Carrow Road, Norwich.

After four years and 43 games away from the international squad, Galway girl Russell scored her fifth WNT goal in the fourth minute of added time to boost Ireland's chances of being a seeded team in the First Round of the EURO 2025 Qualifying Play-Offs.

SECURE YOUR SEAT FOR IRELAND VS FRANCE

European champions England took the three points courtesy of a first-half strike from Alexia Russo and a second-half penalty from Georgia Stanway, but Eileen Gleeson's team never gave up.

A hectic start saw the hosts take the lead inside the opening five minutes and they dominated for large spells of the first period as they showed their quality.

Two half-time changes saw Russell and Leanne Kiernan bring pace and energy to the game at the right time. Ireland started to get in behind the opposition's backline without truly troubling goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

At the other end, Courtney Brosnan made a couple of fine saves but could not prevent Stanway from converting a spot kick on 57 minutes. Still the Girls in Green kept going.

With time running out, Russell got a deserved goal and that could prove to be crucial for the Ireland as they look to close out Group A3 on a high.

England: Hannah Hampton; Maya Le Tissier, Alex Greenwood, Leah Williamson (Millie Bright 46), Jess Carter (Niamh Charles 46); Georgia Stanway, Kiera Walsh, Jess Park; Beth Mead (Chloe Kelly 61), Lauren Hemp (Angie Beever-Jones 88); Alexia Russo (Jessica Naz 70).

Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, Anna Patten, Niamh Fahey (Louise Quinn 88), Emily Murphy (Julie-Ann Russell 46); Denise O’Sullivan, Ruesha Littlejohn (Megan Campbell 67), Lily Agg; Jess Ziu; Amber Barrett (Leanne Kiernan 46).

Referee: Catarina Campos (Portugal).