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Belgium 2-1 Republic of Ireland (4-5 agg, result) Abbie Larkin's 90th-minute goal secures Nations League promotion for Republic of Ireland despite defeat in Belgium Carla Ward's side had led 4-2 from first leg Tessa Wullaert opened scoring in 33rd minute before adding second to level tie Jana Mc Cabe Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Carla Ward is urging her side to keep this tempo up. There is just over 10 minutes to go for either side to find a winner or we will be heading into extra time. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Meabh De Burca Former Republic of Ireland international on RTE Belgium are sustaining a bit of pressure but they are dealing with it well. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Amber Tysiak makes way for Kassandra Missipo. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Katie Mc Cabe's cross is too heavy for Abbie Larkin and Kyra Carusa, who were both lurking in the box. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Kyra Carusa nods the ball on for Abbie Larkin, but her low effort is wide. That was a big moment for the substitute. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Tessa Wullaert is cautioned for a late challenge on Katie Mc Cabe. Caitlin Hayes picks up a booking for a bit of afters. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Kyra Carusa and Caitlin Hayes both have headers denied by Nicky Evrard in quick succession. The Belgium stopper has had a busy second half! Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) After making a switch at the break, Carla Ward now turns to her bench once again and brings on Abbie Larkin for Emily Murphy. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Marissa Sheva beats her marker, Amber Tysiak, and has a go but, once again, Nicky Evrard reads the situation well and thwarts the chance. Sheva has made a bright start to the second half. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Aoife Mannion sends a shot well off target. Carla Ward's side have looked more dangerous in the last five minutes. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Tessa Wullaert is quickly closed down before she can get a shot away. Wullaert would love to claim the match ball tonight, but the Republic of Ireland certainly won't want that to happen. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) From the corner, Jessie Stapleton's effort is gathered by Nicky Evrard. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Marissa Sheva does well to win possession before unselfishly slipping the ball across to Emily Murphy. However, Nicky Evrard palms Murphy's shot to safety. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Belgium play the corner short with Amber Tysiak nodding Tessa Wullaert's eventual cross into the box wide. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Belgium have a corner early in the second half. They have looked more likely to score another goal since the restart. Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) We're back under way in Leuven. One change for the Republic of Ireland at the break as Anna Patten is brought on for Ruesha Littlejohn. HT: Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Just a reminder that if it is tied at full-time, there will be extra time and penalties. HT: Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Niamh Fahey Former Arsenal defender on RTE The Republic of Ireland made a really bright start and have troubled Belgium through set pieces. They need to regroup and refocus. HT: Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) As Karen said, Tessa Wullaert has been very impressive tonight. Can the Republic of Ireland find a way to close her down in the second half? HT: Belgium 2-0 Republic of Ireland (agg: 4-4) Karen Duggan Former Republic of Ireland international on RTE Tessa Wullaert has been outstanding. She really is a big game player. Abbie Larkin netted in the 90th minute to win the tie 5-4 on aggregate At a glance Republic of Ireland led 4-2 from the first leg in Dublin Tessa Wullaert scores twice to level tie for Belgium on 150th cap Abbie Larkin's goal gives Republic lead on aggregate in 90th minute Irish captain Katie Mc Cabe celebrates promotion on 100th cap Abbie Larkin scored a decisive 90th-minute goal as the Republic of Ireland stunned Belgium to earn promotion to League A with a 5-4 aggregate win in the Nations League play-off. The Republic held a 4-2 lead from the first leg in Dublin thanks to an inspired performance from captain Katie Mc Cabe. However, it was Belgium's leader Tess Wullaert, on her 150th cap, who scored twice in Leuven to level the tie on the night. Substitute Larkin would have the final say as she spun in the area and dinked the ball over Nicky Evrard in the Belgian goal to spark wild celebrations. The win over 180 minutes means Mc Cabe celebrated her 100th Irish cap with an immediate return to League A for the Republic, who will now be guaranteed a play-off for the 2027 World Cup no matter what happens in qualifying. Republic of Ireland beat Belgium in play-off first leg Iceland v Northern Ireland postponed because of snow Irish manager Carla Ward had spoken of her expectation that Belgium would come flying out of the blocks in Leuven after they were blown away by the Irish in Dublin. But it was the Republic who should have taken an early lead when an unmarked Caitlin Hayes sent a header wide from Mc Cabe's cross. Belgium, who defeated European champions England in the Nations League in the spring, grew into the game and began to pile pressure on, but the visitors had another chance to take the lead when Nicky Evrard spilled the ball in the area from a corner. Hayes' header found Aoife Mannion, whose powerful drive was touched by the recovering Belgian goalkeeper before Jarne Teulings hacked the ball off the line. But Belgium took the lead on the night through Wullaert, who finished a flowing Belgian move in the 33rd minute. There was some neat play and Laura Deloose's low ball to the back post found Wullaert and the captain swept the ball into the bottom corner. Things got even better for the hosts when Wullaert grabbed her second of the game five minutes before the break. Hayes gave away possession just outside the area and the in-form Inter Milan forward spotted Grace Moloney off her line and lobbed the ball over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net. Amber Tysiak headed wide early in the second half but from there it was the Republic who looked the more likely to get the crucial next goal. Emily Murphy forced Evrard into a strong save and the PSV goalkeeper was called into action again from Marissa Sheva's low effort. Larkin, minutes after coming on as a substitute, dragged an effort wide from a good position in the area, and Kyra Carusa called Evrard into action again with a low and powerful effort. But Larkin would make up for that miss when the ball fell to her in the area and she showed superb composure to dink the ball over Evrard. There was a late scare as Sari Kees hooked over from a corner, but it was the Irish players who were left to celebrate in front of the travelling support in Belgium. The Irish players celebrated their win in front of the travelling support While Tuesday's performance wasn't quite as barnstorming as in Friday's 4-2 win, promotion to League A shows the Republic of Ireland are back on track after missing out on Euro 2025. Led superbly by Katie Mc Cabe on her 100th cap, it was a mature performance as they were a calm presence against an aggressive Belgium team who had it all to do. Carla Ward had spoken about her belief that the Republic belong in the top tier, and they more than deserved their place over 180 minutes. The win in Dublin was one of their finest in recent years - possibly since their World Cup play-off win in Scotland three years ago - but the game in Belgium showed a resilience and desire to return to the top table. It would have been easy for the Republic to collapse after Tessa Wullaert's double, the second of which was self-inflicted and left the visitors shell shocked. But they rallied and regrouped at half time, and had chances to go ahead in the tie before Larkin's memorable effort. Being in League A gives the Irish another chance to test themselves against some of the top sides in Europe, but it also gives that safety net ahead of World Cup qualifying with the guarantee of a play-off. The top side in League A will automatically qualify for the finals in Brazil, while second and third will face a first-round play-off against a League C side. Worst-case, the bottom placed team in League A will face League B opposition in the first round of play-offs for the finals. The team is very much in transition under Ward, who was only appointed in January, but a superb two legs means they are in the best place to repeat their historic appearance at the World Cup in 2023. Head here to get involved Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Manager: Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Carla Ward Formation: 5 - 3 - 2 Manager: Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Carla Ward Formation: 5 - 3 - 2 UEFA Women's Nations League All competitions All competitions All competitions Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.