2025 Women’s European Championships qualifying Group A3: Republic of Ireland v England (Tuesday, Aviva Stadium, 7.30pm)
From Brendan Crossan at the Aviva Stadium
ENGLAND defender Leah Williamson has praised her Arsenal team-mate Katie McCabe as a game-changer and a player with a big personality ahead of tonight’s Euro 2025 qualifier with Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
England’s European Championship-winning captain, who returns to the international fold after a year out with a cruciate injury, revealed there has been no contact with her club-mate this week as the duo prepare for one of the biggest games of the season.
“Katie is a big personality,” said Williamson, who will start for England. “She is someone who is very proud of where she comes from and has been authentic with that with the fans - so a lot of people connect with her in that way.
“She knows her strengths that can be game-changing as well. And she is someone who has raised the profile of the game, her game, and subsequently Arsenal. She has been an important player for us over the last couple of years.”
The pair won the League Cup with Arsenal at the end of last month, while McCabe could also face Alessia Russo who grabbed England’s goal in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Sweden at Wembley.
While Ireland are big underdogs in this qualifying group, Williamson doesn’t take any of England’s opponents for granted.
“I think being a successful team puts a target on your back regardless and we often meet teams who really, really want to beat us. But I always trust that we want to beat them more. From a footballing perspective, I think it is going to be a great occasion.
“I am so happy that the game is at this stadium [Aviva], and that so many people are coming to watch women’s football is a huge credit to what Ireland have done over the last couple of years.”
England coach Sarina Wiegman was equally wary of Ireland’s strengths.
“Ireland are very compact, very physical, very well-organised and disciplined. They’re dangerous on the counter-attack too, and if they do get some space, they can come out and attack and create some chances.
“They’ve had quite a journey, making the World Cup, winning their Nations League group and now being here.”