Overview
- Ireland lost the second leg 2-1 in Leuven but advanced after Larkin’s late finish clinched a 5-4 aggregate victory over higher-ranked Belgium.
- Tessa Wullaert hit a first‑half brace to wipe out Ireland’s two‑goal advantage from Dublin and level the tie 4-4 before the decisive late twist.
- Head coach Carla Ward introduced Anna Patten at half-time and turned to Larkin on the hour, with the substitutions helping tilt momentum back to Ireland.
- McCabe marked her century of caps as Ireland celebrated promotion while acknowledging defensive lapses that nearly cost them the tie.
- The match drew 7,038 at Den Dreef Stadium, including a vocal travelling Irish support of more than 300 fans.