Reds begin Euro 2025 qualifying with nations

Defending European champions England, who won the 2022 tournament on home soil, had four Reds in their matchday squad for their campaign-opener at Wembley Stadium.

The Lionesses drew 1-1 with Sweden, the team they defeated in the semi-finals of the competition just under two years ago, with former United striker Alessia Russo on the scoresheet.

Reds goalkeeper Mary Earps played the entirety of the contest while Grace Clinton, currently on loan at Tottenham, started and featured for 57 minutes before she was replaced by her club team-mate Ella Toone. 

Millie Turner, our newly crowned Player of the Month for March, was an unused substitute. 

Elsewhere, WSL Player of the Month nominee Lisa Naalsund helped Norway beat Finland 4-0 on home soil.

Our no.16 came on for ex-Red Vilde Boe Risa just after the hour mark and produced the assist for her country’s fourth and final goal, scored by Elisabeth Terland of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Gemma Evans and Hayley Ladd partnered each other at centre-back, as Wales beat Croatia 4-0 in Wrexham, where United Academy defender Mayzee Davies was also in the home side’s matchday squad.

The former’s invitingly floated ball into the box was converted on the volley by Angharad James for the game’s fourth goal.

In Metz, although Aoife Mannion’s Republic of Ireland narrowly lost 1-0, the defender completed 90 minutes before she was substituted in the closing stages.

It means Mannion has now played back-to-back 90 minutes for club and country, following her recent return from injury.

Last but not least, Reds forward Lucia Garcia watched on as world champions Spain made an emphatic start to their qualifying campaign.

They won 7-0 away to Belgium, with Garcia not called upon from the bench. Our no.17 will hope to feature on matchday two, when her nation hosts Czech Republic on Tuesday.

COMING UP ON SATURDAY

Our representation in April’s international fixtures continues this evening, outside of Europe, when Hinata Miyazawa’s Japan take on USA in the SheBelieves Cup, held in the States.

Should the United midfielder feature in the 17:30 BST kick-off at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it will be her second appearance since recently returning from a fractured ankle that she sustained before the turn of the year.