Republic of Ireland 0-2 Wales: Seattle Reign duo inspire Wales to surprise win

Wales produced an excellent performance to earn a surprise 2-0 win against Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Watched on by new manager Rhian Wilkinson, Wales impressed under interim boss Jon Grey with an attacking, high-tempo display.

The Republic were denied a goal by a brilliant save by Olivia Clark to stop Amber Barrett's powerful effort.

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This was a morale-boosting night for Wales who won for the first time in 10 months after the bruising experience of relegation from the top-tier of the Nations League.

The experience of playing only top level opponents in 2023 appears to have had a positive impact on Wales, who will look forward to next week's Euro 2025 qualifying draw with excitement as they target a first major tournament appearance.

By contrast, the Republic will feel disappointed with their display on a night where they only mustered four shots on target.

Eileen Gleeson made two changes to the Republic's starting XI who played against Italy last week with Leanne Kiernan and Barrett coming into the side.

Wales interim boss Grey made just one alteration for his sole game in charge, unsurprisingly sticking with the majority of the XI who held Germany to a 0-0 draw in Wales' final Nations League in December.

Grey, who was assisted by Wales' all-time record scorer Helen Ward, recalled Hayley Ladd as Wales again selected the Championship's top scorer Elise Hughes in attack.

The Republic were favourites having conceded only twice in their past eight games and having played in last year's World Cup, but they were stunned by an impressive start from Wales who pressed with gusto all over the pitch.

The visitors recent near-misses to reach a first major tournament have invariably been a consequence of an inability to turn promise into goals, but they showed a clinical touch at Tallaght Stadium.

Credit must go to Grey for setting up Wales in such an attacking manner away from home, with Wales making a mockery of their inferior world ranking.

Wales went ahead on seven minutes as the Republic twice failed to clear a Wales cross, allowing Ladd to steer the ball to Fishlock to tap home.

It was Hughes' header that sparked the initial panic in the home penalty area and she remained a constant menace, heading over on nine minutes from Angharad James' corner as Wales pushed for a second.

That goal duly arrived on 22 minutes with Hughes again directly involved as she hooked Rhiannon Roberts' dangerous cross into the path of Woodham who finished brilliantly as she powered a left-footed effort into the roof of the net.

The Republic will feel they should have been level before they fell 2-0 behind, but Clark produced a fabulous save to deny Barrett's close-range effort.

The hosts were much-improved after the break as both managers used the opportunity to rotate their players, with Wales threatening a third goal as both Hughes and substitute Ceri Holland went close.

Grey handed a debut to London City Lionesses captain Lois Joel as Wales protected their lead with a degree of comfort, with their defensive unit of Ladd, Gemma Evans and Josie Green particularly impressive in limiting the Republic's opportunities.

The hosts, who were beaten for the first time since the World Cup, saw their misery compounded with Arsenal's Katie McCabe limping out of the action with 15 minutes remaining.

The Republic, pushed on by a record crowd at a women's international game at Tallaght Stadium of 8,218, did almost find a consolation goal, but Caitlin Hayes headed Megan Connolly's corner over the bar.