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 and pulsating 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.
And Larkin completed it with her second goal on her 30th appearance in green.
Carla Ward’s side now usurp Belgium in League A, and guarantee a seeded playoff for the 2027 World Cup ahead of Tuesday’s qualifying draw.
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Ireland rallied in a superb second half, and celebrated with the 330 vocal travelling fans at Der Dreef Stadium.
A Belgian brass band in the 7,038-strong crowd were eventually drowned out, their party spoiled.
Ward named an unchanged XI, 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.
The hosts showed their intent early doors, targetting the space behind McCabe to limit her attacking prowess. But Ireland’s latest 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 punched away a corner before flapping at headers from Emily Murphy and Hayes, and parrying an Aoife Mannion volley as Jarne Teulings eventually cleared Belgium’s lines.
Teulings had been yellow-carded for a poor challenge on the excellent Denise O’Sullivan moments earlier, while Stapleton later went in the book for a rash challenge on the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder.
In all, French whistler Stéphanie Frappart brandished five yellows – including one to Ireland boss Ward.
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. Belgium then 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 25 yards and celebrated with 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.
Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan in action with Belgium's Janice Cayman. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Another mini Belgian storm arrived on the restart, but Ireland weathered it accordingly. They clawed on top and generally controlled proceedings from there, repeatedly working Evrard.
Marissa Sheva sparked to life, herself and Emily Murphy drawing saves.
Long before taking the headlines, Larkin brought a spark from the bench, menacing up top with a variety of near misses. Patten returned with a vengeance in the middle. Hayes. led the defence. But while Ireland took the initiative, Belgium still 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 after being slipped in by O’Sullivan, this looked destined to go the distance.
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Until Larkin’s golden moment. The killer blow.
It all stemmed from McCabe demanding a short kick out from Moloney and launching the ball as O’Sullivan flicked on and Carusa got involved before the Larkin lifted over Evrard with her second attempt.
Bedlam in Belgium.
A night to savour.
BELGIUM: Nicky Evrard; Sari Kees, Amber Tysiak (Kassandra Missipo 67), Zenia Mertens, Laura Deloose; Jill Janssens, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Janice Cayman; Marie Detruyer, Tessa Wullaert, Jarne Teulings (Maram Toloba 84).
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Larkin strikes late as Ireland secure Nations League promotion on dramatic night in Belgium
Belgium 2
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 and pulsating 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.
And Larkin completed it with her second goal on her 30th appearance in green.
Carla Ward’s side now usurp Belgium in League A, and guarantee a seeded playoff for the 2027 World Cup ahead of Tuesday’s qualifying draw.
Ireland rallied in a superb second half, and celebrated with the 330 vocal travelling fans at Der Dreef Stadium.
A Belgian brass band in the 7,038-strong crowd were eventually drowned out, their party spoiled.
Ward named an unchanged XI, 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.
The hosts showed their intent early doors, targetting the space behind McCabe to limit her attacking prowess. But Ireland’s latest 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 punched away a corner before flapping at headers from Emily Murphy and Hayes, and parrying an Aoife Mannion volley as Jarne Teulings eventually cleared Belgium’s lines.
Teulings had been yellow-carded for a poor challenge on the excellent Denise O’Sullivan moments earlier, while Stapleton later went in the book for a rash challenge on the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder.
In all, French whistler Stéphanie Frappart brandished five yellows – including one to Ireland boss Ward.
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. Belgium then 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 25 yards and celebrated with 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 mini Belgian storm arrived on the restart, but Ireland weathered it accordingly. They clawed on top and generally controlled proceedings from there, repeatedly working Evrard.
Marissa Sheva sparked to life, herself and Emily Murphy drawing saves.
Long before taking the headlines, Larkin brought a spark from the bench, menacing up top with a variety of near misses. Patten returned with a vengeance in the middle. Hayes. led the defence. But while Ireland took the initiative, Belgium still 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 after being slipped in by O’Sullivan, this looked destined to go the distance.
Until Larkin’s golden moment. The killer blow.
It all stemmed from McCabe demanding a short kick out from Moloney and launching the ball as O’Sullivan flicked on and Carusa got involved before the Larkin lifted over Evrard with her second attempt.
Bedlam in Belgium.
A night to savour.
BELGIUM: Nicky Evrard; Sari Kees, Amber Tysiak (Kassandra Missipo 67), Zenia Mertens, Laura Deloose; Jill Janssens, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Janice Cayman; Marie Detruyer, Tessa Wullaert, Jarne Teulings (Maram Toloba 84).
IRELAND: Grace Moloney; Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe; Ruesha Littlejohn (Anna Patten HT), Denise O’Sullivan (Lucy Quinn 90), Marissa Sheva; Emily Murphy (Abbie Larkin 61), Kyra Carusa.
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France).
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Belgium Ireland Ireland WNT Match Report Report