International Eagles: Ireland win again, Jamaica get closer to the World Cup

Women

3 hours ago

Eight Crystal Palace Women's players represented their nations across the world over the April international break. Read below to find out how they got on...

Ireland

Abbie Larkin and Ruesha Littlejohn

Abbie Larkin started in Gdańsk as the Girls in Green pulled off an impressive 3-2 win against Poland.

Larkin played 69 minutes as goals from Emily Murphy, Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva earned an invaluable three points in Group A2.

Larkin came on as a 72nd minute substitute in the reverse clash in Dublin, as Ireland claimed a vital 1-0 victory thanks to a Sheva goal just before half-time.

Ruesha Littlejohn was not called upon for either game, as Ireland moved five points ahead of Poland in the group and one step closer to World Cup qualification.

Tue, 14th April: Poland 2-3 Republic of Ireland

Sat, 18th April: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Poland

Wales

Elise Hughes and Hayley Ladd

Palace's number nine got on the scoresheet for Wales again, as her side beat Albania 4-0 at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.

Hughes pounced on a spill from goalkeeper Rajmonda Spahiu to put her side 2-0 up on 35 minutes.

Hayley Ladd entered the field as a substitute on 75 minutes, as the Dragons secured a vital win in Group B1.

A scrappy Rhiannon Roberts goal in Elbasan was enough for Wales to make it two wins against Albania in April.

Ladd started and played 61 minutes, whilst Hughes came on as a substitute on 73 minutes.

Wales are in second-place in the group, with leaders Czechia ahead on goal difference.

They will travel to Cardiff in June for what will prove to be the deciding game of the qualification phase.

Tue, 14th April: Wales 4-0 Albania

Sat, 18th April: Albania 0-1 Wales

Jamaica

Allyson Swaby

It was a very productive April international break for Allyson Swaby and Jamaica, as they sealed their place at the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship.

A Bunny Shaw hattrick got them off to a great start, as the Reggae Girlz beat Antigua & Barbuda 4-0 on Friday 10th April.

Shaw and Shania Hayles got on the scoresheet against Guyana, as Swaby's side then notched a 2-0 win in Kingston.

Swaby started both games in the capital, and helped her side keep two clean sheets.

Should the Reggae Girlz reach the semi-finals of the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship, they will confirm World Cup qualification.

Fri, 10th April: Jamaica 4-0 Antigua & Barbuda

Sat, 18th April: Jamaica 2-0 Guyana

Scotland

Kirsty Howat

Scotland maintained their unbeaten status in Group B4 as two draws against Belgium kept them top.

Kirsty Howat was a late substitute in the first game, as a 90+5 minute goal from Kathleen McGovern rescued a point for Scotland in Belgium.

Leicester City's Sari Kees put the Belgians ahead on 15 minutes, with the Red Flames withstanding the Scotland attack until the final moments.

McGovern tapped home Lauren Davidson's cross in injury-time, a goal that means Scotland can still finish first in the group.

Howat came on with 14 minutes to play in Leuven, as Scotland held on for a 0-0 draw in Belgium.

Scotland now face Israel in June, and will confirm top spot if they at least match Belgium's result, and maintain their superior goal difference.

Tue, 14th April: Scotland 1-1 Belgium

Sat, 18th April: Belgium 0-0 Scotland

Sweden Under-23's

My Cato

Sweden won their group in the WU23 Friendlies, but ended up runners up in the final - held in Spain.

They progressed through the semi-finals with a 1-0 win over international rivals Norway.

My Cato played 85 minutes as Mathilde Janzen's goal proved to be the difference.

Cato started in the final against England, but the Young Lionesses proved too much as they ran out 3-0 winners in Murcia.

Mon, 13th April: Sweden 1-0 Norway

Fri, 17th April: England 3-0 Sweden

England Under-19's

Lola Brown

Lola Brown and the Young Lionesses were in Switzerland, as they missed out on qualifying for the 2026 UEFA Women’s Under-19 European Championship Finals this summer.

Lauren Smith’s side began their campaign with a resounding 5-0 win over Latvia two weeks ago, with Brown an unused substitute.

Brown started and played 62 minutes in the subsequent game against Wales, where the Young Lionesses lost 3-2.

She then played the full 90 minutes as England lost 2-0 to Switzerland - meaning that the team will miss out on this summer's tournament.

Thu, 9th April: England 5-0 Latvia

Sun, 12th April: England 2-3 Wales

Wed, 15th April: England 0-2 Switzerland

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