Ireland have progressed to the final round of Euro 2025 playoffs after a comfortable aggregate victory over Georgia.
With the Georgians sitting nearly 100 places below Ireland in the FIFA World Rankings, and memories fresh of a 20-0 aggregate win in the 2023 World Cup playoffs, this was never going to be too much of a test for Eileen Gleeson's side. A 6-0 win in Tbilisi last Friday was followed with a 3-0 win in Tallaght on Tuesday night to confirm Ireland's place in the Euro 2025 playoff finals.
After a long and at times tough road, Ireland are within touching distance of their first ever European Championships.
We've broken down the path that lies ahead of the Ireland WNT en route to Euro 2025.
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The Ireland WNT's playoff path to Euro 2025
Who Ireland will play in the Euro 2025 playoff final
Concurrently with Ireland's victory over Georgia, Wales hosted Slovakia in the second leg of their Nations League B playoff in Cardiff.
Wales recovered from their first-leg defeat to Slovakia to progress to the second round of playoffs - though Tuesday's game was not without its drama.
The first leg had seen the hosts claim a famous victory in Slovakia, with Wales losing to a team ranked 22 places lower in the FIFA World Rankings. However, their late goal ensured the scoreline sat at only 2-1 going into Tuesday's second leg, and it would prove to be a crucial momentum swing.
Wales had three goals disallowed for offside but won out 1-0 in 90 minutes, thanks to Jess Fishlock's goal. As extra-time rumbled on, the decisive second goal finally came from Ceri Holland, completing a dramatic turnaround and securing their place in the playoff final.
Ireland have already faced Wales this year, with a 2-0 loss in Tallaght in February marking the first defeat under Eileen Gleeson. The Girls in Green will certainly be hoping for a stronger showing this time around, though the Welsh will be formidable opponents over the two-legged playoffs.
Wales are currently ranked 29th in the FIFA World Rankings, five places below Ireland.
When the Euro 2025 playoff final will take place
The final round of Euro 2025 playoffs will kick off next month, with Ireland playing away form home in Cardiff for the first leg.
The second leg will be at 7:30pm on December 3rd, with the WNT returning to the Aviva Stadium.
- Friday November 29th: Wales v Ireland, Cardiff, kick-off TBC
- Tuesday December 3rd: Ireland v Wales, 7:30pm, Aviva Stadium
The route to the tournament so far for Ireland
Ireland cruised through their Nations League B campaign late last year, winning all six games with a goal difference of +18 to secure their place in League A for this year's qualifiers.
A nightmare draw saw them pitted against England, France, and Sweden, and it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Girls in Green.
Despite some spirited performances along the way, Ireland did not pick up a single point from their first five games. However, a superb win over France in Páirc Uí Chaoímh in July made sure the campaign ended on a high.
The routine win over Georgia has put Ireland within touching distance of Euro 2025 - fingers crossed we will see them in Switzerland next summer.
