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.
Although Carla Ward's charges lost the second leg 2-1 on the night, Larkin's goal, scored at the second attempt as extra time loomed in Leuven, was enough to secure a 5-4 aggregate win.
That guaranteed promotion to Nations League A and a place in the 2027 World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Ireland's initial two-goal advantage from the first leg was earlier wiped out by a first-half brace from Belgium's Tessa Wullaert, setting the stage for the 20-year-old substitute's last-gasp winner.
89mins: 🇧🇪 2-1 🇮🇪 (4-5 agg)
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 28, 2025
Larkin finds the net with a scrappy toe-poke finish. Looks like Ireland are heading the League A!
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Accepting her award for player of the match and reflecting on the crucial goal, an emotional Larkin told RTÉ Sport: "Oh God, honestly, one of the best feelings I've ever had.
"Credit to the girls in the second half. We fought through even though the score wasn't going our way.
"We never gave up and that shows what we're all about. It shows that we're Irish and we'll never give up.
"As soon as the goal went in I was like 'wow'. I actually was about to start crying, it was that good, but I had to focus then for the next two minutes.
"I blew my Ma a kiss, to be fair! I'd say she was crying in the stands, but it was amazing.
"Even having them here to experience that with me was a feeling I'll never forget and I really appreciate them."
