REPORT | Ireland WNT 3-1 France WNT

REPORT | Ireland WNT 3-1 France WNT

The Ireland Women's National Team secured a seeded spot in the EURO 2025 Qualifying Play-Offs with a 3-1 victory over France in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

In what is officially the best result in WNT history - beating a team at No 2 in the FIFA Women's World Rankings - Ireland made the most of this occasion in front of 18,399 supporters.

Second-half goals from Denise O'Sullivan, Julie-Ann Russell and Anna Patten ensured that Eileen Gleeson's team recorded their first win of Group A3 in the last game.

France did pull one back through Vicki Becho but that late goal did not spoil Courtney Brosnan's 30th consecutive appearance as the Girls in Green celebrated a deserved win.

This was a night that ended a tough group campaign on a high. It showcased the resilience that has been the hallmark of each performance but the difference here was that they were rewarded for it.

O'Sullivan got things started with a superb strike on 67 minutes. It had to be a Cork native to mark the team's first return to the Rebel County since 2012 with the opening goal.

Next up was Russell to score her second goal in as many games in this international window following a late strike against England. As is now custom, she dedicated it to her baby Rosie.

Becho netted on 79 minutes but Patten made sure that this occasion had the perfect ending with a thumping header and the crowd erupted.

Ireland will discover their Play-Off opponents on Friday, July 19th when the draw is made in UEFA HQ in Nyon.

Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Louise Quinn, Julie-Ann Russell, Ruesha Littlejohn (Lily Agg 54); Denise O’Sullivan, Katie McCabe, Anna Patten, Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes; Leanne Kiernan (Megan Connolly 86), Jess Ziu (Amber Barrett 90).

France: Constance Picaud; Maëlle Lakrar (Elisa De Almeida 61), Estelle Cascarino (Grace Geyoro 61), Amandine Henry, Léa Le Garrec (Marie-Antoinette Katoto 80); Thiniba Samoura, Selma Bacha, Sandy Baltimore (Delphine Cascarino 46), Julie Dufour (Kadidiatou Diani 70); Ève Pérriset, Vicki Becho.

Referee: Olatz Rivera Olmedo (Spain).

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