Katie McCabe fires double as Ireland impress in win over Belgium
Ireland’s Katie McCabe celebrates scoring a hat-trick (Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)The Republic of Ireland recorded a resounding 4-2 win at home to Belgium in the first leg of their Women’s Nations League play-off.The hosts were only involved in the play-off for promotion after missing out on going up automatically by virtue of their head to head record against group winners Slovenia, and they put themselves in a strong position to put things right at the Aviva Stadium.Katie McCabe’s penalty put them in front in stoppage time at the end of the first half before Tessa Wullaert equalised seven minutes after the interval.Goalkeeper Nicky Evrard’s own-goal restored the Republic’s lead almost immediately, then two goals in five minutes from McCabe and Marissa Sheva made it 4-1.Marie Detruyer handed Belgium a lifeline in the final 10 minutes ahead of Tuesday’s second leg.
