By Hannah Blackwell
More than 50 years after losing their first-ever international match, 3-2, to Ireland, Wales have finally turned the tables.
Their reward, after earning a thrilling 3-2 aggregate victory in their Euro 2025 play-off, is the country’s first-ever qualification for a major women’s tournament.
Their legacy will prove far more lasting, though, than the trip to Switzerland next summer, according to their greatest player, Jess Fishlock.
The tense second leg in Dublin – a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night – followed a 1-1 draw in Cardiff, with Hannah Cain’s penalty and Carrie Jones’ second-half strike proving decisive.
Reaction from Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson! ️
FT: Republic of Ireland 1-2 Wales
Watch: @BBCOne Wales
Listen: @BBCRadioWales & @BBCChwaraeonRC
Live text: @BBCSport website & app#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/4TRXlQkhNA— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 3, 2024
Despite Anna Patten’s late goal and relentless pressure from Ireland in the final minutes, Wales held on to make history.
“Honestly, I’ve got no words. There’s nothing that will ever compare to this feeling,” Cain said, overwhelmed with emotion after the match.
“You can see what it means to everyone. I was crying when I scored.”
For Wales’ most-capped player and record goalscorer Fishlock, the moment was the culmination of a career spanning nearly two decades.
The 37-year-old, who debuted for Wales as a teenager in 2006, had to watch from the sidelines in the second half after exiting the game with a hamstring injury.
“I can’t put it into words. This is 20 years in the making. I wouldn’t change a second of it,” Fishlock told Match of the Day Wales.
“The ups and downs are part of the process and the journey. It all led to this moment with this group of girls. This is by far the proudest moment of my life. My hamstrings are shot, but that doesn’t matter right now.”
Wales’ most-capped player and record goalscorer Jess Fishlock says qualifying for a major tournament with her country is “the proudest moment of her life” ⚽#BBCFootball
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 3, 2024
Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson was full of praise for her players, emphasising the significance of their achievement for the nation’s footballing future.
“This team found a way. They never broke for each other, they stayed strong. I’ve never been prouder of a team,” Wilkinson said.
“This is a special team. My staff are another level and this team, how they don’t quit… they never do things the easy way.
“This team stands on the shoulders of giants who came before, and now they’ve proven how good they are. They’re better than they think and they just have to see it and live it and experience it.
“Those boys and girls back home are seeing a generation of football that’s going to change everything.”
Cain, who has endured two ACL injuries and subsequent surgeries, was emotional about her contribution.
“It’s pretty emotional. I’m glad to be back doing that. I’m not going to lie, I was a bag of nerves. But this is what dreams are made of.”
Hannah Cain with a MASSIVE goal for Wales! ✅
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales
Watch: @BBCOne Wales
Listen: @BBCRadioWales & @BBCChwaraeonRC
Live text: @BBCSport website & app#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/FdWL3OpyhL— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 3, 2024
Former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon believes the team’s qualification can be transformative for sports in Wales, comparing it to the Welsh men’s breakthrough at Euro 2016.
“It’s amazing. It’s taking me back to 2016 when the lads did it,” Gabbidon said.
“It’s that same kind of feeling. We have had so many disappointments, so for us to be in that draw, for little old Wales… we are going to showcase Wales.”
The result was a bitter blow for Ireland, who had been hoping to build on their historic 2023 World Cup debut.
But Wales’ triumph symbolises a seismic moment, not only for the team but for football in Wales as a whole.
From Fishlock’s long journey to Cain’s resilience, the squad’s historic success will leave an indelible mark and inspire future generations.
In Praise of Jess Fishlock . . . Wales’ Big Fish in Whatever Size Pool
