Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward celebrates after the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at The King Power At Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven, Belgium.

Graham: Ireland have opened up 'easier route' to Brazil

While Girls in Green fans can look forward to some high-profile fixtures against Europe's elite after achieving promotion from the second tier of the UEFA Women's Nations League, the real bonus lies further down the line on the road towards the next World Cup, according to Rachel Graham.

Soccer • 2 hrs

28 October 2025; Abbie Larkin of Republic of Ireland celebrates after the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at The King Power At Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven, Belgium. Pho

'I actually was about to start crying' - Larkin

Abbie Larkin's 90th-minute strike delivered a dramatic 5-4 aggregate victory for the Republic of Ireland over Belgium, with the Ringsend flyer admitting that her unforgettable goal was all the more special as her family were on hand to witness it.

Soccer • 28 Oct

28 October 2025; Abbie Larkin of Republic of Ireland scores her side's first goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at The King Power At Den Dreef Stadium in L

Supersub Larkin earns Ireland dramatic play-off success

Abbie Larkin lifted home a dramatic 90th-minute goal to squeeze the Republic of Ireland past Belgium 5-4 on aggregate after a 2-1 loss in a pulsating Nations League promotion/relegation play-off in Leuven.

Soccer • 28 Oct

28 October 2025; Abbie Larkin of Republic of Ireland, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring her side's first goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off second leg match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland a

Women's Nations League recap: Belgium 2-1 Ireland (4-5)

Follow all the action from Leuven as the Republic of Ireland look to build on their first-leg win and secure promotion to group A of the UEFA Women's Nations League.

Soccer • 28 Oct

Laura Deloose of Belgium in action against Republic of Ireland players Katie McCabe, left, and Denise O’Sullivan during the UEFA Women's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the Aviva Stad

Jarrett: Ireland have enough to hold off Belgium rally

Former Republic of Ireland striker Rianna Jarrett expects Belgium to come out firing in tonight's UEFA Women's Nations League play-off second leg but believes the Girls in Green have enough to hold onto their first leg advantage.

Soccer • 28 Oct

24 October 2025; Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard gathers a ball ahead of Denise O’Sullivan and Ruesha Littlejohn of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland an

Republic of Ireland v Belgium - All you need to know

The Republic of Ireland head to Leuven with promotion to League A in their own hands after a 4-2 first-leg win. Here's all you need to know for the return leg in Belgium.

Soccer • 28 Oct

24 October 2025; Republic of Ireland players celebrate with supporters after Katie McCabe, hidden, scored their side's second goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bel

Nations League recap: Ireland 4-2 Belgium

Ireland beat Belgium in the first leg of their Nations League play-off at Aviva Stadium.

Soccer • 28 Oct

Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland women training session at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Republic of Ireland v Belgium: All you need to know

The Republic of Ireland meet Belgium in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off on Friday at Aviva Stadium. Here's all you need to know.

Soccer • 23 Oct

Amber Barrett, left, and team-mates during a Republic of Ireland women training session at the Aviva Stadium

Preview: Ireland look to extinguish Red Flames at Aviva

The Republic of Ireland return to the Aviva Stadium for the first time in 10 months, aiming to take down Belgium in the first leg of their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off.

Soccer • 24 Oct

Wales' midfielder Brennan Johnson chases a rat off the pitch during the 2026 World Cup Group J qualifier football match between Wales and Belgium, at Cardiff City Stadium, in Cardiff, on October 13, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Rats! - Wales left cursing De Bruyne as Belgium win

Wales' hopes of automatic World Cup qualification were dealt a blow as Kevin de Bruyne converted two penalties in Belgium's 4-2 win on a night when a rodent intruder created some merriment for home fans in Cardiff.

Soccer • 13 Oct

Justine Vanhaevermaet of Belgium in action during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group B match between Portugal and Belgium at Stade de Tourbillon on July 11, 2025 in Sion, Switzerland.

What Euro 2025 has taught Ireland ahead of Belgium tie

Shelbourne midfielder and former Republic of Ireland international Rachel Graham assesses the Belgians who will be the Girls in Green's opponents in a Nations League play-off in October.

Soccer • 15 Jul

Belgium's defender #11 Janice Cayman celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group B football match between Portugal and Belgium at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion, on July 11, 2025.

Belgium beat Portugal but both bow out of Euro 2025

Belgium's Tessa Wullaert and Janice Cayman struck in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Portugal in their final Group B game at Euro 2025 on Friday that extinguished the Portuguese team's dreams of advancing to their first European knockout round.

Soccer • 11 Jul

Alexia Putellas after scoring Spain's sixth goal in Thun

Spain eventually find their groove to smash Belgium

Striker Alexia Putellas scored twice for world champions Spain as they shook off a slow start to beat Belgium 6-2 in their Euro 2025 Group B clash, a result which guaranteed the Spaniards' progress to the knockout stage.

Soccer • 07 Jul

Arianna Caruso celebrates scoring the game's only goal

Euro 2025: Caruso on target as Italy beat Belgium

Italy won their first match in the Women's European Championship since 2017 as Arianna Caruso struck just before the break to give them a 1-0 win over Belgium in their Group B opener on Thursday

Soccer • 03 Jul

Ireland's Matthew Nelson celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal against Belgium

Ireland bounce back to bring down Belgium in Antwerp

Ireland picked up their first win in the 2024/25 FIH Pro League as they got the better of world number two-ranked Belgium 3-2 in Antwerp.

Hockey • 15 Jun

3 June 2025; Louis Rowe of Ireland during the Men's International Hockey match between Ireland and India at Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club in Dublin. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Five-star Belgium sink Ireland in FIH Pro League

World No 2-ranked Belgium outmuscled Ireland in the first match of the final FIH Pro League stage in Antwerp on Saturday, powering to a 5-1 win.

Hockey • 14 Jun

Dramatic defeat for Wales as De Bruyne the match-winner

Wales suffered a dramatic 4-3 World Cup qualifying defeat to Belgium as their incredible comeback from three goals down eventually proved in vain.

Soccer • 09 Jun

Tessa Wullaert of Belgium in action against Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland during the women's international friendly match between Belgium and Republic of Ireland at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.

Just how daunting will Belgium prove for Ireland?

Shelbourne midfielder and former Republic of Ireland international Rachel Graham reacts to the Girls in Green being drawn against Belgium in the Women's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off.

Soccer • 10 Jun

Nations League wrap: Belgium battle back in Italy

Italy were held to a 2-2 draw by Belgium after Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off and they squandered a 2-0 lead but remained top of Nations League A Group 2.

Soccer • 10 Oct 24

Kevin de Bruyne (R) with Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco during Euro 2024

De Bruyne to play on with Belgium despite squad refresh

Kevin De Bruyne has been included in Belgium's squad for next week's Nations League matches but Romelu Lukaku was omitted after asking for time off to concentrate on getting fit after his move to Napoli, said coach Domenico Tedesco.

Soccer • 30 Aug 24

Randal Kolo Muani celebrates after the French winner

France labour past Belgium after scruffy late winner

Substitute Randal Kolo Muani scored with a deflected shot five minutes from time to give France a nervy but deserved 1-0 Euro 2024 last-16 win over a disappointing Belgium.

Euro 2024 • 01 Jul 24

Euro 2024 recap: France 1-0 Belgium

The action as it happened as France finally overcame Belgium in their last-16 game in Dusseldorf

Soccer • 01 Jul 24

France have yet to hit their stride at Euro 2024

Euro 2024 preview: France collide with broken Belgians

By this stage of the European Championship, favourites France and contenders Belgium would have wanted to be well into their stride and hitting their straps as they enter the knockout stages.

Soccer • 01 Jul 24

Jan Vertonghen (R) was unhappy with the reaction of the Belgian fans at the end of their game with Ukraine

Meunier: Belgian fans went too far with angry reaction

Belgian fans went too far with their angry reaction to the team's draw against Ukraine in the European Championship, veteran defender Thomas Meunier said on Thursday.

Euro 2024 • 27 Jun 24

Belgium will face France in the next round while Ukraine finish bottom despite collecting four points

Belgium limp into knockouts as Ukraine crash out

Belgium will face France in the last 16 of Euro 2024 following a 0-0 draw with Ukraine, who crashed out of the tournament.

Euro 2024 • 26 Jun 24