England 2-1 Republic of Ireland
By Fran Lever
Above: England in the huddle. Photo: Lionesses.
Alex Greenwood gained her spot back in the starting XI as England hosted the Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road for Lauren Hemp’s homecoming.
The visitors were missing a key player in Katie McCabe as the fight for Euro 2025 qualification continued.
Current champions England sat third in the table before the game so not winning was not an option. It was a make or break game ahead of travelling to Sweden next week. Sarina Wiegman said before the game that “Group C is a tough group but was an important game to win.”
Maya Le Tissier was given a start in the right position over veteran Lucy Bronze. Both Leah Williamson and Millie Bright were on yellow cards ahead of the game so understandably they only played one half each.
Even without McCabe, Ireland started strong against the reigning champions but it was Alessia Russo who opened the scoring for the Lionesses in the fifth minute as she tore through the Irish defence and beat Courtney Brosnan to the post.
Amber Barrett had an early shot on goal but was quickly swept up by Hannah Hampton. England’s midfield found them disarmed by the Irish but would find a way forward again. Jess Park found space in the 12th minute to move forward and passed to Beth Mead but the shot on goal was wide.
In the 14th minute there was a scramble with the ball with Hemp, Russo and Jess Carter to find the back of the net but eventually it was Carter’s attempt that was quickly blocked by Brosnan.
Carter started as left back but has quickly shown how versatile of a defender she is, often switching between left back and centre back but can also play as right back.
England were clumsy on occasion and it looked like a matter of time before Ireland would find the back of the net. Greenwood lost the ball and it was Hampton who had to produce another quick save.
England were provided a free kick after Russo was taken down by Ruesha Littlejohn. Park started in the number 10 role and showed why she was one of Manchester City’s key players last season.
In the 37th minute, Hemp had her chance of a hometown glory goal blocked by Brosnan and was shortly followed by Ireland being given a corner but any chance of a goal from the away side was caught by Hampton.
Russo had a good run towards the end of the first half but had no one in the box to finish the job. It happened a few times throughout the game after her early goal.
There had been talk over what should be her position within the England set up due to the team struggling at times in the final third. She has often proved herself more suited to be on the wing or deeper. She often finds the back of the net, as any forward, but she is also putting in the work in the build up play and no one to put the finishing touches to her hard work. Ultimately she can not be in two places at once. Could the missing ingredient for a more powerful England attack to change her position then have a more clinical finisher in the number nine role? Because the missed chances of goals is ultimately where England are falling short and one of the reasons why they sat third in the table upon the start of the game.
Early into the second half, Hemp attempted to score by distracting Brosnan but fell short. A few moments later, Russo’s chance on goal ended with her being tangled with the Irish players.
England were later awarded a penalty with a foul on Hemp from Niamh Fahey. The spot kick was taken by Georgia Stanway which she scored perfectly.
Wiegman has been known to be stubborn when it comes to rotation and subs but the game proved what can happen when a manager does that. Overall, England had more flow and creativity in the team.
Later, Chloe Kelly came on as a sub for Beth Mead and then Littlejohn came off for Megan Campbell.
It was a battle of the 10s throughout the game between Park and Denise O’Sullivan in the midfield and proved to be a mighty match up, often coming together.
Jess Naz was a late sub for Russo to make her England senior debut after an impressive season. Within moments of being on the pitch, she nearly found the back of the net. She proved herself to be the perfect super sub – which ultimately one of the main reasons England won the Euros so it was about time the team returned to those ways.
Ireland had a late corner in the 80th minute but ultimately was sent away by Bright. Moments later, Kiernan was shown a yellow for a foul on Naz. Later on, Ireland fans were treated to another one of Campbell’s long throw-ins but nothing came of it.
Aggie Beever-Jones came on in the dying moments of the game for Lauren Hemp for her senior debut as well and Louise Quinn came on for Fahey. Kelly had an attempt on goal but missed as it was declared that there would be four additional minutes of extra time. Stanway had a shot almost in vain on goal but sent it flying into the stands. Ireland had another corner that led Russell to score before the final whistle was blown.
ENGLAND (4-3-3)
Hampton ; Le Tissier, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter, Stanway, Walsh, Park, Mead, Russo, Hemp.
Substitutes: Bright, Charles, Kelly, Naz, Beever-Jones
Scorers: Russo 5’ Stanway 57’
IRELAND (3-5-2)
Brosnan, Patten, Hayes, Fahey, Mannion, Agg, Littlejohn, O’Suliivan, Ziu, Barrett, Murphy
Substitutes: Murphy, Russell, Campbell, Quinn
Scorers: Russell 90+4’.
Attendance: 23,003.
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