Copyright the42
League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Abbie Larkin celebrates.Ryan Byrne/INPHO FreeMatch Report Larkin strikes late as Ireland secure Nations League promotion in Belgium Ireland lose on the night, but win on aggregate. 9.32pm, 28 Oct 2025 Share options Reports from Den Dreef Stadium, Leuven Republic of Ireland 1 Ireland win 5-4 on aggregate 90 MINUTES ON the clock, the tie in the balance. Up steps Abbie Larkin. The 20-year-old proved the super sub, lifting home as Ireland squeezed past Belgium to secure Nations League promotion. Just about. After a dramatic, pulsating and fraught second leg in Leuven. Belgium captain Tessa Wullaert scored a seven-minute first-half double to level the tie after their 4-2 defeat at Aviva Stadium on Friday. For some time, it looked like the Belgian captain might upstage Katie McCabe on her 100th cap, with her 97th goal on her 151st, but the Irish skipper brilliantly spearheaded the fightback. Carla Ward’s side now usurp Wullaert and Belgium in League A, and guarantee a seeded playoff for the 2027 World Cup. They rallied through in a superb second half, and celebrated with the 330 vocal travelling fans amidst an attendance of 7,030 attendance at Der Dreef Stadium. A Belgian brass band in the crowd were eventually drowned out, their party spoiled. Advertisement Ward named an unchanged Ireland team, holding Anna Patten in reserve as she returned from suspension. Belgium brought in their duo previously sidelined for the same reason, 6ft Crystal Palace midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet and Hoffenheim forward Jill Janssens, and half-time substitutes, Zenia Martens and goalscorer Maria Detruyer. Belgium showed their intent from the off, targetting the space behind McCabe to limit her attacking prowess. But the centurion reminded them of her threat from all over in the third minute, as a brilliant delivery from a free-kick just evaded both Caitlin Hayes and Jessie Stapleton at the back post. Those dispatches continued to cause havoc through a transitional, physical opening: Nicky Evrard punching away a corner before flapping at headers from Emily Murphy and Hayes, before saving an Aoife Mannion shot as Jarne Teulings eventually cleared Belgium’s lines. Teulings had been yellow-carded for a poor challenge on the industrious Denise O’Sullivan moments earlier, while Stapleton went in the book too for a rash challenge on the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder. In all, French whistler Stéphanie Frappart brandished five yellows. Momentum threatened to swing either way as the game sparked to life: Carusa should have done better when played in by Mannion, only to be smothered by Evrard. Then Belgium called for a penalty for what they deemed an obstruction in the box on Wullaert, but it would have been rather soft. There were no such complaints through her seven-minute salvo which restored parity in tie. Her first came after superb Belgian combination play down the left in the 33rd minute. Laura Deloose pulled back to the unmarked Inter Milan striker and she finished with aplomb. As the clock struck 40, she pounced again. This time, she lobbed Moloney from 30 yards and celebrated arms outstretched. It came after Hayes swiped at a Deloose delivery from deep, and Wullaert didn’t need a second invitation. The Red Flames were burning bright again, Ireland gasping for air. Ruesha Littlejohn lifting a free-kick over the bar just before half-time brought little reprieve, and she made way for Patten in a straight swap at the break. Another Belgian storm arrived on the restart, but Ireland weathered it — beginning to threaten Evrard and clawing back on top. Marissa Sheva sparked to life, herself and Emily Murphy drawing saves. Larkin brought a spark from the bench, menacing up top with a variety of near misses. While Ireland took the initiative, Belgium carried a major threat on the counter. With the game on a knife-edge, it became more fraught and fiery with challenges flying in. There were afters as Wullaert went in the book for a tackle on McCabe, while Ward saw yellow herself for bemoaning a separate incident. Ireland dug deep, and drove on. With Carusa denied in the 88th minute, this looked destined to go the distance. Until Larkin’s golden moment, her second goal on her 30th cap. It all stemmed from McCabe demanding a short kickout from Moloney, with O’Sullivan and Carusa both involved in a sweeping move before the Crystal Palace star lifted it over Evrard with her second attempt. BELGIUM: Nicky Evrard; Sari Kees, Amber Tysiak (Kassandra Missipo 66), Zenia Martens, Laura Deloose; Jill Janssens, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Janice Cayman; Maria Detruyer, Tessa Wullaert, Jarne Teulings. IRELAND: Grace Moloney; Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe; Ruesha Littlejohn, Denise O’Sullivan (Lucy Quinn 90), Marissa Sheva; Kyra Carusa, Emily Muphy (Abbie Larkin 61). Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France). View 15 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Larkin strikes late as Ireland secure Nations League promotion in Belgium ”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Larkin strikes late as Ireland secure Nations League promotion in Belgium ”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Ireland WNT Match Report News in 60 seconds FreeSqueaky Bum Time Bray Wanderers set up play-off final clash with Treaty United Two Irish managers guide sides to League Cup quarter-finals 34 mins ago brilliant in belgium 'I was actually going to start crying it was that good' - Coming-of-age moment for Abbie Larkin David Sneyd 55 mins ago FreeSkipper 'He's shown no ill-effects' - Ireland confident Doris is up to speed Belgium v Ireland, Nations League play-offs Celtic target Chelsea U21 boss as part of coaching revamp David Sneyd FreePodcastThe 42FM Why the loss of Irish journalism jobs is bad news for sports fans Belgium v Ireland, Nations League play-offs Rodgers resigns as Celtic boss with ex-Ireland manager O’Neill taking interim charge 'Misleading, divisive and self-serving' - Dermot Desmond takes aim at Brendan Rodgers Looking Forward Larry Tompkins: 'A very rare cancer...please God now, we're going in the right direction' more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online Sign in or create a free account To continue reading create a free account Or sign into an existing account
