The Republic of Eire thrashed Georgia of their Euro 2025 play-off first leg whereas Scotland additionally gained, however Northern Eire and Wales have work to do within the return legs.
Eire made their attacking intentions recognized from the outset however needed to wait till the thirty fifth minute to make their breakthrough with the primary of six objectives, with Katie McCabe’s penalty giving them a half-time lead following a handball.
Second-half strikes from Kyra Carusa, McCabe, Jessie Stapleton, Marissa Sheeva and Aoife Mannion and all however secured a tie with Slovakia or Wales because the Republic bid to succeed in their first European Championships.
After the break, McCabe’s supply discovered Carusa whose ensuing effort hit the crossbar.
However, Georgia’s reprieve was short-lived as Carusa made it 3-0, sidefooting in from Abbie Larkin’s cross.
The sport was over as a contest halfway by way of the second half as McCabe lobbed in from 30 yards for her second of the evening.
Eire added three extra late on courtesy of Stapleton and Sheeva’s first senior worldwide objectives, earlier than Mannion’s header accomplished the rout.
Croatia 1-1 Northern Eire
Izabela Lojna scored a objective and an personal objective as Croatia have been held to a 1-1 draw by Northern Eire within the first leg of their first spherical play-off.
Croatia began stronger in Varazdin and gained an early penalty when Jackie Burns was punished for a careless problem. Lojna transformed her spot-kick into the highest left-hand nook to offer the hosts the lead.
Nonetheless, Tanya Oxtoby’s aspect responded properly and so they got here shut by way of Rebecca Holloway, whose shot from simply inside the realm after a well-worked transfer was blocked.
Northern Eire’s momentum was rewarded in second half added-time. Goalkeeper Doris Bacic conceded a nook off her preliminary save and after a brief nook, Casey Howe’s cross deflected off Lojna and into the online to earn the guests a draw.
The return takes place at Windsor Park on Tuesday.
Hungary 0-1 Scotland
Martha Thomas’ second-half strike gave Scotland a slim however vital benefit over Hungary of their Euro 2025 qualifying play-off conflict within the Bozsik Enviornment.
Neither aspect hit the heights however on the hour mark the Tottenham striker made the distinction when she hammered the ball in from shut vary for a 1-0 first-leg win.
Pedro Martinez Losa’s aspect will take that welcome lead into the second leg at Easter Highway subsequent Tuesday the place the Scots needs to be assured of getting by way of to satisfy the winners of the Finland versus Montenegro semi, with the prospect of constructing a primary look on the European Championship finals since 2017 appearing as a driver.
Slovakia 2-1 Wales
Wales’ hopes of reaching Euro 2025 have been dented by a 2-1 play-off first-leg defeat to Slovakia in Poprad.
Beautiful second-half strikes from Martina Surnovska and Maria Mikolajova put Slovakia in command in opposition to below-par guests.
However Ffion Morgan’s wonderful 89th-minute end gave Wales hope forward of Tuesday’s semi-final second leg in Cardiff.
Wales began on the entrance foot with Charlie Estcourt’s volley on the far publish blocked by the knees of Slovakia goalkeeper Maria Korenciova and Ceri Holland firing over after a forceful run.
However Slovakia – ranked 51 on this planet and 22 locations beneath Wales – took management and Surnovska missed the goal from 10 yards earlier than forcing a high quality save from Olivia Clark.
The Wales goalkeeper was wanted once more to cease Mikolajova’s cross from creeping in on the again publish.
Slovakia’s superiority was rewarded 4 minutes into the second interval and moments after Josie Inexperienced virtually headed into her personal internet.
Wales have been gradual to shut down Surnovska because the ball fell to her from a nook 20 yards out and have been duly punished because the ball flashed previous Clark.
Mikolajova doubled the lead 9 minutes later with an impressive swerving 25-yard free-kick after Wales’ defence creaked once more.
File caps holder and scorer Jess Fishlock was despatched on from the bench after her latest damage issues for the ultimate 25 minutes and Wales improved dramatically upon her arrival.
Wales have been operating out of time when Fishlock noticed Morgan’s unchecked run, and the Bristol Metropolis participant took a contact within the field earlier than curling dwelling an excellent shot.
