A two-legged playoff now awaits against Belgium, opening at Aviva Stadium this evening before the return tie in Leuven next Tuesday. It’s campaign-defining, the crescendo of somewhat of a lull year ahead of 2027 World Cup qualifying. Promotion here would guarantee a playoff on the road to Brazil.
With outfield noise often drowning out the football, it is firmly in focus now.
It was tight with opportunities at a premium for much of the opening 45.
Both teams will feel they might have done better with the odd half-chance.
The Belgians have struggled at times when Ireland go direct, and that’s how the goal came about, as their defenders failed to deal with a set piece and Irish physicality in the area.
McCabe, meanwhile, will be delighted with another goal ahead of what will likely be a landmark 100th appearance in Tuesday’s second leg.
What an evening this is turning out to be for McCabe, who now has a hat-trick.
Murphy makes a good run down the channel before squaring to the Dubliner, who takes a touch before firing emphatically into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Belgium respond by making a change — Reynders is on for Delacauw.
It eventually falls to Sheva on the edge of the area, and her unstoppable first-time shot hits the roof of the net.
This is starting to feel like the best performance of the Carla Ward era. It’s certainly been the best 12-minute spell of the manager’s reign.
24 Oct
8:31PM
Here’s a look at every second-half goal…
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Belgium The visitors are level out of nothing as Tessa Wullaert dinks the ball over Grace Moloney after being played onside 📺 Live coverage on @rte2 and @RTEplayer
Republic of Ireland 2-1 Belgium Ireland re-take the lead as soon as they lose it. Katie McCabe's deep cross from the left rebounds off the post, off Nicky Evrard's back and into the net 📺 Live coverage on @rte2 and @RTEplayer
Republic of Ireland 3-1 Belgium Katie McCabe drills home Ireland's third, unquestionably the best of the night after great passing from O'Sullivan and Murphy 📺 Live coverage on @rte2 and @RTEplayer 📱Updates https://t.co/BTJ0s9rh7Wpic.twitter.com/49G0JHdpC2
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Belgium Turning into a wonderful night for Carla Ward's side as Melissa Sheva rattles home the fourth to the roof of the net 📺 Live coverage on @rte2 and @RTEplayer
The ball hits off Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard for Ireland’s second goal. Nick Elliott / INPHO
Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO
24 Oct
8:34PM
74 mins: More changes for Ireland..
Carusa and O’Sullivan are replaced by Noonan and Finn.
24 Oct
8:36PM
76 mins: McCabe’s corner finds the head of new arrival Noonan, but it’s some distance out, and the substitute’s effort can only find the roof of the net.
Belgium continue to look nervous anytime Ireland put a set piece in the box.
It’s almost certainly the best performance of the Carla Ward era, with a starring performance from captain Katie McCabe.
Ireland have played a team above them in the rankings, and ruthlessly exposed their weaknesses, making them look ordinary for large portions of that second half.
It’s only the second time they have beaten Belgium, losing the other five fixtures.
Their only other victory was a 1-0 in the first meeting between the sides back in 1980.
The only disappointment from an Irish perspective is the defensive sloppiness for the two goals conceded in a game where Belgium otherwise rarely threatened.
Nonetheless, the goals by Wullaert and Detruyer give Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir’s side some hope of turning the tie around ahead of Tuesday’s second leg.
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As it happened: Ireland v Belgium, Nations League play-offs
Ireland 4-2 Belgium
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
Ireland face a significant test tonight against a Belgium side who are seven places above them in the last Fifa rankings.
Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir’s side have more major tournament experience than Carla Ward’s side and will be favourites to prevail over two legs.
The hosts need a big performance tonight if they want to maintain their hopes of League A promotion ahead of Tuesday’s second leg in Belgium.
Kick-off for tonight’s game is at 7pm.
Confirmation of Ireland’s team tonight…
And below is how Belgium will line out…
Who will win tonight?
Poll Results:
Some interesting words from former Ireland international Louise Quinn on RTÉ ahead of tonight’s game.
Read Emma Duffy’s match preview in full here.
We’re underway…
3 mins: Belgium are pressing high and playing the early stages largely in the Irish half.
Ireland look to be set up in a 5-3-2 formation to begin with.
5 mins: Ireland win the game’s first corner.
But McCabe’s delivery is easily gathered by Belgian goalkeeper Evrard.
11 mins: So close!
O’Sullivan breaks forward and finds Carusa.
The striker picks out Murphy with a low cross, and the Newcastle forward toe pokes it inches wide.
16 mins: Littlejohn attempts a shot from distance, but it’s well off target.
Ireland have come into this game more in recent minutes, but the teams look relatively evenly matched.
20 mins: A spell of Belgian pressure almost ends with a goal.
Deloose’s initial shot is blocked, but it rebounds kindly for her, and the Anderlecht player’s low strike goes just wide.
28 mins: Carusa receives the ball from a McCabe throw-in and does well to wriggle away from Kees.
The Belgian player then cynically drags her back and picks up the game’s first booking as a result.
Here’s a look at the respective chances for Murphy and Deloose…
37 mins: A good lofted through ball by Mustaki has to be put out for a corner by Tysiak.
The ensuing delivery by McCabe is palmed away awkwardly by Evrard as Belgium eventually avert the danger.
41 mins: Dhont gets booked for a late challenge on McCabe.
That looked like a sore one for the Irish captain on her ankle, but it appears she’ll be okay to continue.
PENALTY TO IRELAND!
As the ball bobbles around in the area, Stapleton’s shot hits off the hand of Toloba.
The ref points to the spot.
IRELAND 1-0 BELGIUM (MCCABE 45)
45 mins: The goalkeeper dives to her right and McCabe puts it the other way to give Ireland the lead.
That’s the Arsenal star’s 30th senior international goal on her 99th cap.
There will be three minutes of first-half stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: IRELAND 1-0 BELGIUM
Here’s a look at the goal and the penalty decision that preceded it…
It’s been an interesting first half.
It was tight with opportunities at a premium for much of the opening 45.
Both teams will feel they might have done better with the odd half-chance.
The Belgians have struggled at times when Ireland go direct, and that’s how the goal came about, as their defenders failed to deal with a set piece and Irish physicality in the area.
McCabe, meanwhile, will be delighted with another goal ahead of what will likely be a landmark 100th appearance in Tuesday’s second leg.
Belgium make two changes at the break.
Dhont and De Caigny go off, Detruyer and Mertens come on.
The second half has begun…
48 mins: Belgium look less than comfortable dealing with another set piece.
McCabe fires a ball in, and Evrard parries it away unconvincingly.
Moments later, the Belgian goalkeeper has to be alerted, as she gets to an O’Sullivan through ball just ahead of the onrushing Murphy.
51 mins: Another Belgian player is booked.
This time, it’s substitute Detruyer for a late challenge on Stapleton.
IRELAND 1-1 BELGIUM (WULLAERT 53)
IRELAND 2-1 BELGIUM (MCCABE 54)
Wow, what a sequence of events!
Belgium initially equalise slightly against the run of play.
Deloose’s lofted through ball finds Wullaert, who takes a touch before expertly chipping it over Moloney and into the net.
Moments later, McCabe gets the ball out wide.
The wing-back may say she meant to score, but it looks somewhat fortuitous.
The Arsenal star’s cross-shot from the left hits the post and goes in off the back of Evrard.
That will probably be credited as an own goal ultimately, as it would have stayed out had the goalkeeper not been there.
60 mins: One change for Ireland.
Littlejohn is replaced by Toland.
IRELAND 3-1 BELGIUM (MCCABE 62)
What an evening this is turning out to be for McCabe, who now has a hat-trick.
Murphy makes a good run down the channel before squaring to the Dubliner, who takes a touch before firing emphatically into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Belgium respond by making a change — Reynders is on for Delacauw.
IRELAND 4-1 BELGIUM (SHEVA 66)
What a goal!
Belgium players attempt to clear a McCabe corner.
It eventually falls to Sheva on the edge of the area, and her unstoppable first-time shot hits the roof of the net.
This is starting to feel like the best performance of the Carla Ward era. It’s certainly been the best 12-minute spell of the manager’s reign.
Here’s a look at every second-half goal…
74 mins: More changes for Ireland..
Carusa and O’Sullivan are replaced by Noonan and Finn.
76 mins: McCabe’s corner finds the head of new arrival Noonan, but it’s some distance out, and the substitute’s effort can only find the roof of the net.
Belgium continue to look nervous anytime Ireland put a set piece in the box.
IRELAND 4-2 BELGIUM (DETRUYER 82)
The substitute Detruyer fires home from the edge of the area after Ireland fail to clear their lines.
That could be an important goal in the context of Tuesday’s second leg and ensures that the upcoming match will be far from a formality.
Meanwhile, Belgium make another change, with Toloba — who gave away the first-half penalty — replaced by Petry.
87 mins: After a relatively tight first half, the second has been incredibly open by comparison.
Five goals have been scored since the break, and there might well be at least one more to come.
90 mins: Unsurprisingly, Katie McCabe is named as the player of the match.
The 30-year-old had some involvement in all four of Ireland’s goals.
There will be six minutes of stoppage time…
90 mins: Ireland are slowing the game down well.
Multiple players are keeping the ball near the corner flag.
FULL-TIME: IRELAND 4-2 BELGIUM
So that’s that.
It’s almost certainly the best performance of the Carla Ward era, with a starring performance from captain Katie McCabe.
Ireland have played a team above them in the rankings, and ruthlessly exposed their weaknesses, making them look ordinary for large portions of that second half.
It’s only the second time they have beaten Belgium, losing the other five fixtures.
Their only other victory was a 1-0 in the first meeting between the sides back in 1980.
The only disappointment from an Irish perspective is the defensive sloppiness for the two goals conceded in a game where Belgium otherwise rarely threatened.
Nonetheless, the goals by Wullaert and Detruyer give Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir’s side some hope of turning the tie around ahead of Tuesday’s second leg.
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have more reaction to follow on the site shortly.
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