Hayley Ladd was one of Wales' star performers as they held on for victory in Dublin, but the defender says the game was the most "nerve-racking" she has ever been involved in.

But after all the tension, Ladd says securing qualification for Wales' first major women's tournament is an "amazing feeling".

Owain Llyr
BBC Radio Cymru commentator

Image source, PA Media

Qualifying for the Euros obviously means a lot to the players, but it also means the world to the former players.

Kath Morgan, the former Wales captain, couldn’t speak during the last 10 minutes of the game last night while on Radio Cymru commentary duty as she was so nervous.

There’s a huge connection between the current Wales squad and the players who have retired, and that became obvious after last night's match.

There was a lot of hugging as tears of joy were shed.

Image source, FAW

Former captain Kath Morgan says qualification for Euro 2025 is a "relief" because it means Wales' star players will grace the major tournament stage.

Jess Fishlock will be 38 by the time the football kicks off in Switzerland next summer, while long-time skipper Sophie Ingle – who is currently out with a serious knee injury – will be almost 34.

Morgan believes it is only right that two of Welsh football's greats will be part of the squad which goes to a first women's major championship.

"It would be a travesty if they didn’t manage to get to a final tournament," Morgan said.

"There was a lot of raw emotion from a lot of ex-players [in Dublin] and it’s because we simply feel like it is our Gareth Bale… that’s what Jess is to us, and it would be sad if she didn’t manage to get there."

Jess Fishlock struggled to sum up her emotions after Wales' gripping victory in Dublin.

Fishlock admitted she could not watch the closing minutes - and she probably wasn't alone there.

Image source, Getty Images

Don't speak too soon was the message, it seems, after Wales doubled their lead in Dublin through Carrie Jones on Tuesday night.

But apparently, someone did.

“I’m still blaming one of my assistances who looked at me when we were 2-0 up and he said 'make sure you are enjoying this moment'," Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson explained.

"I knew then we were in trouble and then they got that goal."

Wales were 2-0 up on the night – and 3-1 on aggregate in the tie – for 19 minutes, before Anna Patten's header set up an agonising finish.

"I try to be pretty calm on the sidelines but inside I was churning," Wilkinson added.

"It was two very evenly matched teams battling it out in a stressful end to the game.

"An incredible tackle by Rhiannon Roberts at the end of the game and some wonderful saves by Olivia Clark that kept us in it.”

Image source, FAW

Helen Ward would be forgiven for wondering what might have been today, having done so much for women's football in Wales before her retirement in 2023.

But the former striker, who scored 44 goals in 105 international appearances, was among the Welsh contingent savouring the moment in Dublin, where she was part of BBC Sport's commentary team,

Ward, 38, says the team's ground-breaking qualification for a first major tournament will leave a lasting legacy that will see the game reach new levels in Wales.

"The journey that this squad and this country has been on in terms of women's football, for it to finally happen, it's everything," Ward said.

Read more: Wales to 'step out of the shadows' with Euro 2025 qualification

Wales' players left their Dublin hotel this morning to fly to Bristol after what, by the sounds of it, was a long night of celebrations.

How are the heads, we wonder, and is there any sign of Gemma Evans' tooth?

Centre-back Evans lost a tooth during the game, though she insisted on social media that "it was worth it" because Wales "are going to the Euros".

Image source, Getty Images

We have heard from Jess Fishlock this morning - via her social media account.

"EUROS BABY!!!!," the Wales star wrote on X., external

"My head hurts but it’s okay. WALES ARE GOING TO THE EUROS."

Fancy watching the drama unfold again? Here are Tuesday night's highlights.

In the wake of Wales' triumph in Dublin, head coach Rhian Wilkinson explained her attachment to her team and to Wales - as well as how grateful she is for the support of assistant Jon Grey.

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She may have looked pretty cool to those of us watching on, but Hannah Cain admitted afterwards that nerves were taking over as she took Wales' penalty.

But the Leicester City striker - who was a surprise inclusion in Wales' starting side - sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Rhian Wilkinson's team on the path to glory.

It was some moment for Cain, who has only recently returned to action after two serious knee injuries.

"Honestly, I've got no words. There's nothing that will ever compare to this feeling,” she said.

"You can see what it means to everyone. I was crying when I scored.

"It's pretty emotional. I'm glad to be back doing that. I'm not going to lie, I was a bag of nerves. But this is what dreams are made of.”

Wales' good moves were not limited to the field of play at the Aviva Stadium.

The party started in the away dressing room afterwards, with Lily Woodham leading the way.

Wales' players flew into Bristol Airport on a scheduled flight this lunchtime, though some members of the squad were missing as they make their own way home after this most memorable of stints on international duty.

Of those who came on the team flight, some are expected to travel back to the south Wales training base before heading back to their clubs.

Image source, Getty Images

OK, so the chances are that you have a pretty good idea of what happened on a night of drama across the Irish Sea.

But if you are in need of a quick reminder, Wales began as underdogs against Republic of Ireland after last Friday's Euro 2025 play-off final first leg in Cardiff ended in a cagey 1-1 draw.

Wales rode their luck at times, with Denis O'Sullivan hitting the woodwork before the break as the home side applied plenty of pressure.

But a handball which was spotted by VAR gave Hannah Cain the chance to put Wales ahead.

They missed a golden chance to double the lead when Angharad James' shot was saved, but the second goal came as Carrie Jones found the bottom corner.

Wales were in dreamland - but there was tension to come.

Anna Patten's 86th-minute header meant the Republic of Ireland needed only a goal to force extra time.

But Wales dug deep during eight minutes of added time to deliver their glorious victory.

Image source, FAW

Wales' heroes are heading home this afternoon to find a nation still smiling after history was made in Dublin last night.

Wales have been knocking at the door when it comes to major tournament qualification in recent years without ever getting it open.

But that all changed on a memorable evening at the Aviva Stadium as Rhian Wilkinson's team claimed a 3-2 aggregate victory to book a place at Euro 2025.

Here we relive the thrills of a sporting occasion that will live long in Welsh memories - and track the squad's return home.