England beat Republic of Ireland in Euro 2025 qualifier - as it happened

All four home nations won their Euro 2025 qualifiers today. England and Scotland triumphed this evening, while earlier Wales thrashed Kosovo as Northern Ireland battled to victory away to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe speaking to BBC Sport: "The first half we were quite passive. We allowed them too much space. For us they were avoidable goals and we’ll look to get better at that going forward. In the second half we pushed them right to the end and I feel we could have pinched a goal or two."

On the aims for the second half: "Just to show character and show belief. We know the qualities they have. We respected them too much in the first half and there were areas we could have got at them at and that’s what we will look to do better going forward.

"They are European champions and they showed their qualities in the end and I think they were even timewasting at one point to run the game out which I was surprised at."

On where it leaves the Republic of Ireland's qualifying campaign: "Obviously we’re disappointed. France was a really difficult game and we knew it was going to be difficult again against England but we need to keep believing. We’ve got qualities in this team both from dead ball situations and in open play as well."

On the occasion overall: "Coming out singing the anthem was really special. 32,000 was incredible. We want to keep that going, keep the buzz of that coming when we play here. A big shout out to all our fans for turning out tonight."

I'm not sure I believe it has been quite so long since anyone wanted Leah Williamson's shirt. Especially given how many cardboard signs you see held up after WSL matches.

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England captain Leah Williamson speaking to BBC Sport: "Tough game at the end. A lot of us love playing in those games with that type of crowd but it’s still hard. They threw everything at us. I’m very happy with the points."

On which was the emotional part of her Lionesses comeback: "The anthems, you know I struggle with that anyway. Seeing my mum, she came over which is really nice. Unfortunately my dad couldn’t be here. But I don’t know, when it finished to be honest, that was the most emotional I was. I wanted to stay in the game and be present but it’s been a journey. It’s a nice feeling."

On what she said to Louise Quinn at full-time: "I said I miss her. Last time I was playing with Lou we won the league at Arsenal. We’re going to have a nice shirt swap. It’s been a while since anyone wanted my shirt so that’s quite nice."

While we're glad you stuck around with us tonight, hopefully you double - or triple - screened to watch the Champions League too.

Some absolutely sensational action tonight, from all sides.

England's Keira Walsh speaking to BBC Sport: "It was two very different halves. First half they sat off us a little bit and that allowed us to create our rhythm of play. We created a lot of opportunities and had good possession.

"Second half they came out and that’s where we need to choose our options a little bit better, maybe go a little bit longer and not play into their trap. It’s not an easy place to come to, they have some good players so we’re happy with the result."

On winning after Sweden draw: "That’s the beauty of playing for England, you’re always under pressure to win. A lot of our players thrive off that. You could see in the first half the way we came out we knew it was going to be a massive game and it was a good team performance tonight."

On the feeling at the final whistle: "It’s a professional game, a professional job. We knew we needed to get the three points. I wouldn’t say relief but happy to get the win for sure."

On having Leah Williamson back: "Amazing. You can see the calmness she brings for us. She’s so composed, she's a massive voice at the back for us and brings the game together. An unbelievable feeling to have her back and we’re all really happy."

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England manager Sarina Wiegman speaking to ITV: "A hard game. I think we totally dominated the first half and could have been up 4-0. Of course, later on in the game they came with a strong throw-in and had more opportunities than the first half, it became a fight and we wanted to stay out of the fight. We had to show lots more, being really tight in possession.

"I think this game was totally different [to Sweden]. They tried to play physically and we had some moments when we played really well and we could have switched the ball more, but we were a little loose.

"They got momentum. We were a little bit unfortunate when Beth [Mead] and Fran [Kirby] came in. If we had put that chance away it would have helped us. Yes, I see improvements but you hope you can manage the game better."

On Leah Williamson's return: "She played only home games and now it is away with a lot of noise and I think she stayed calm and played well, and it is really good to see her."

Back in the Republic of Ireland, let's hear from the England manager...

A nice story from elsewhere in Euro 2025 qualifying.

Armenia tonight broke the longest losing streak in European women's international football, claiming a win after 24 back-to-back losses that saw them go 1032 days without a win, as well as being their first competitive victory since 2011.

Ani Safaryan was the stoppage time hero in Sofia as they beat Bulgaria 3-2 in Group C4.

England picked up their first win of Euro 2025 qualifying with a comfortable display against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Lauren James gave the Lionesses an early lead when she stroked in a deflected header from Lucy Bronze.

Defender Alex Greenwood's penalty made it 2-0 but she missed a second spot-kick before half-time.

The Republic of Ireland sit bottom of the group with two defeats. England are two points behind leaders France.

You can read the report in full here.

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Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe speaking to ITV: "First half I felt like we were too passive at times and gave them a lot of space. We looked at that at half-time and tweaked a few things and needed to push on and try and get something. I am proud of how we applied ourselves.

"There is a long way to go. I haven't seen the penalty back but it is frustrating. They are avoidable goals. We created a few chances towards the end and unfortunately, they didn't go in for us."

On England's second penalty: "There's not much you can do, it's that handball rule. I think the football gods redeemed themselves off the post."

On moving forward: "We will be looking and reviewing and seeing where we can be better, especially in the transitions going forward, be better on the ball and be more dangerous.

"There are four games and we know we have qualities and strengths. We could have had two goals there and a bit of a different game. We have to keep going and we won't be dropping our heads."

Elsewhere this evening, Scotland got their first win in Euro 2025 qualifying as Sophie Howard's second-half header downed stubborn Slovakia.

The Leicester City defender rose highest at the back post to power in Erin Cuthbert's free kick.

It was a much-needed intervention on the hour mark for Pedro Martinez Losa's side, who were without a win in eight competitive matches on the back of an uninspiring draw in Serbia to open their campaign.

The victory moves Scotland second in Group B2 behind Serbia on goal difference with a double header to come against the lowest seeded side in the group, Israel, at the end of May.

You can read Thomas Duncan's report from Hampden Park here.

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Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe speaking on RTE: "It is a fantastic achievement, 32,000 at the Aviva on a Tuesday night, it can't get much better than that.

"The first half was frustrating, we felt that we could have got at them more, but then we pushed a lot in the second half.

"We pushed players further up the pitch in the second half, created chances from set pieces and open play and we were just unlucky in the end. We will take the positives; there are four more games to go and we will regroup in June."

A bit of WSL news to bring you this evening.

Contract talks are ongoing between Manchester United and manager Marc Skinner, BBC Sport understands.

The 41-year-old joined the club in July 2021 and his current deal is due to expire this summer.

Skinner guided United to the FA Cup final and a second-place finish last season, after finishing fourth in the previous campaign.

United sit fourth in the WSL, 15 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Skinner has been criticised by sections of United's support this season, with some chants and banners calling for him to be sacked.

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Republic of Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson on RTE: "The second half was super positive, we were aggressive and had opportunities to score.

"We could have defended the first goal better and then they got the penalty, but the girls showed what they are capable of in the second half and we have to build on that and play like that for 90 minutes.

"We put them under a lot of pressure in the second half."

On the 32,000 crowd at the Aviva Stadium: "I can't tell you how much the support tonight means, it made such a difference."

England captain Leah Williamson speaking to ITV: "The most important thing was three points. It’s what we came here for. Obviously we would have liked it to be more convincing, a bit like the first half, but sometimes you’ve got to see out games and with 32,000 Irish fabs against us as well as the the 11 on the pitch, it was a good finish to hold out."

On how much she enjoyed her first England start since April 2023: "Honestly I just really, really love playing for England. When I put this badge on I feel 10 times taller, 10 times stronger. The girls are such a great group of girls and I loved every second of that."

On what got her through her ACL injury: "This. I had my eyes set on this. These days with ACLs, you come back hopefully in a healthy way but I wanted to be good enough to play for England again. The standards are so high and the players that have been here have made them higher. This was the thought and I felt today was a completion of that journey."

On if she is in a good place now: "I think so. Everyone tells me it will take a while for my body to feel like it used to. See out the season and hopefully just keep getting stronger."

On the important of winning after drawing with Sweden: "It says a lot about out standards that we all think that is a setback now. We knew we had to come here and win which is why I am so happy with it. It wasn’t a convincing 20 minutes but I'm very happy with three points."

What needed to be better? "We just needed to keep the ball a bit better. That's what we did the first half and we controlled it, they controlled us for that last 20 minutes. We defended hard and stayed in the game which is important but I'd like to have seen us keep the ball better than we did."

On facing group leaders France next: "We'll get better, they will probably get better as well but you can expect a competitive side in June."

Speaking of Leah Williamson...

I actually thought she was quite emotional, for Leah.

Her performance was great tonight. She played a key part and kept a clean sheet.

It's great to have her back captaining the team.

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Republic of Ireland defender Louise Quinn on RTE: "We have just played two of the best teams in the world in a short space of time. It was physically and mentally tough, but this is where we want to be as a team.

"We are disappointed with the results, we know that we are up against such good teams and we won't have as many chances as we like, but we have proved that we can create chances. We could have scored against France and especially in the second half tonight we could have scored and we had them rattled. I think we deserved one goal at least in that second half.

"We see what we have to do and we have to graft, but we are improving and we need to be better on the ball and move up another level.

"We are in the Aviva playing in front of 32,000 against the European champions and we gave a good account of ourselves, but now we want to get results."