Ella Toone proved to be the hero for England as her stunning strike secured a crucial 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2025 qualifiers. The Manchester United midfielder's second-half goal ensured the Lionesses maintained their unbeaten run in Group A3.
The match, held at a packed Aviva Stadium in Dublin, saw England dominate possession but struggle to break down a resilient Irish defence in the first half. However, the deadlock was finally broken just after the hour mark when Toone unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that left the Irish goalkeeper with no chance.
This was Toone's 20th international goal, further cementing her status as one of England's most reliable attacking threats. Speaking after the match, the 24-year-old said: "I'm just happy to contribute to the team's success. We knew it would be a tough game, but we stuck to our game plan and got the result we needed."
England's victory was sealed late in the game when substitute Alessia Russo added a second goal, capitalising on a defensive error to slot home from close range. The win leaves Sarina Wiegman's side top of their qualifying group with two games remaining.
The Republic of Ireland, who had frustrated England for long periods, will rue missed opportunities but can take heart from a spirited performance against one of Europe's top teams. Their manager praised his players' effort but acknowledged the quality of England's finishing.
With this result, England move closer to securing their place in next year's European Championships in Switzerland. The Lionesses will be looking to build on their success at Euro 2022, where they lifted the trophy on home soil.
