Wales through to Euros play-off finals after night of high drama

Wales beat Slovakia 2-0 in the second leg of their European Championships play-off semi-final

Wales Women set up two dates with the Republic of Ireland for a place in next year's European Championships after beating Slovakia in the second leg of their play-off semi-final.

A goal from Ceri Holland in extra time gave the home side a 2-0 lead after Jess Fishlock had restored parity in the tie at 2-2, with the Slovaks holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg last week.

Holland's goal was subject to a lengthy VAR review but celebrations erupted when the referee awarded the goal after going to the monitor.

It was Fishlock's expertly-taken equaliser in the 38th minute that got Wales back in the tie, chipping the Slovakian keeper after Angharad James had threaded through a perfect slide-rule pass for the forward.

Fishlock would have another two goals disallowed on a night of high drama at Cardiff City Stadium, which also saw Ffion Morgan miss two golden chances to put the game back in the home side's hands.

Extra time was needed to separate the two teams across the two legs, with Holland settling matters after Kayleigh Barton beat the Slovakian offside trap and rattled the post.

Wales managed to hold on for the last few minutes and now progress to a two-legged final against the Irish for a place at Euro 2025.

Boss Rhian Wilkinson said: “I’m exhausted. The players gave everything they had. I am a proud coach.

“We found a way to figure things out, that is how great teams are made. Momentum builds and we'll learn so much from such a resilient display tonight."

“Our performance was epitomised by Jess Fishlock who collapsed at the end of the game and had nothing left to give,” Wilkinson added of their talismanic star.

“This is a sporting icon playing for Wales in front of her own fans. I apologised for keeping her on… but there was no way I was taking her off.

“She is the ultimate team player. She said if she had nothing left to take her off. I said 'I will do what needs to be done.' And I did that. I had to leave her on. She is phenomenal. I don’t take off Jess Fishlock in a game like that.”

The first leg takes places on November 29 at Cardiff City Stadium and the return fixture is on December 3 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.