England Women's Euro tilt up and running with 2-0 win over ...

Republic of Ireland 0-2 England (James 12’, Greenwood P 18’)

AVIVA STADIUM – In Dublin the decibels roar but the underdog growled in vain. It could never have been just another game, the weight of history bearing down on the girls in green and more than a few other burdens encumbering Sarina Wiegman’s European champions. Much of that pressure evaporated on a rainy April evening as England beat the Republic of Ireland 2-0.

Ruesha Littlejohn was still booming her orders across the penalty box when she charged down Jess Park’s thumping effort with an upright arm, silencing any faint remaining hopes of an upset for the ages as Alex Greenwood slotted home the penalty.

Lauren James had already done her job for the opener, the ball falling to her inside the box from an awkward rebound off Anna Patten – an unfortunate turn for the Aston Villa defender who played for England right up until U21 level before switching allegiance through a grandfather from Donegal.

The sky had cleared just enough before the dusk set in. A glimmer of hope, as Greenwood went the other way for her second penalty and pinged it against the post. The Irish will have felt it just after Louise Quinn was dubiously punished for a handball that first came off her leg.

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There was, on occasion, still something not quite clicking. Keira Walsh, otherwise superb, survived shouts for a handball in the area and Caitlin Hayes could not connect from Quinn’s cross for the hosts’ best chance. When Hannah Hampton was forced to resort to time wasting, it was not a good look, especially when the ball was charged down and she left her goal open – but all England needed was a result to settle the nerves.   

The back line looked assured with Leah Williamson back at its heart, returning for her first international appearance in a year following her ACL rupture. The skipper’s leadership was needed all the more with Mary Earps dropped to the bench for the first time in a competitive England match since September 2022.

If that feels an awfully long time ago, compare and contrast with the last time England Women came to Dublin. Thirty-seven years ago, this fixture was hosted at the humble Dalymount Park, home of Bohemians, when England won 1-0 in a friendly. That Irishwomen are now playing at the old Lansdowne Road is a monumental feat.

The 32,742 fans who bought tickets here – at just a few weeks’ notice following the qualifying draw – knew they would have to dig deep, which is where England’s biggest test came in. Wiegman’s side can struggle against sides who commit to a low block and the Irish were buoyed by conceding just one in their defeat to France (despite 21 shots at goal).

For England, nothing less than a win would have done – and despite a series of near misses late on, it finally feels as if their European title defence is up and running.