The Republic of Ireland Women's National Team took a significant step toward the FIFA Women's World Cup play-off final following a comprehensive 8-0 victory over Kazakhstan at the Astana Arena.

Head Coach Carla Ward’s side dominated the first leg of this Round One play-off from the outset, opening the scoring in the seventh minute. After Nazym Ismailova parried a Megan Connolly free-kick, Chloe Mustaki delivered a precise cross for Kyra Carusa to head home.

Mustaki, who was influential throughout, doubled the lead in the 16th minute. After Abbie Larkin’s initial effort was spilled and Emily Murphy struck the woodwork, Mustaki was on hand to fire home her first international goal. The visitors’ superiority was further underlined on the half-hour mark as Carusa recorded her second of the afternoon, converting another Mustaki delivery with a downward header.

The hosts’ difficulties were compounded in the 33rd minute when captain Yulia Myasnikova was dismissed following a VAR review for a professional foul on Larkin. Ireland capitalised on the numerical advantage before the interval. Emily Murphy turned in a rebound in the 43rd minute before Larkin secured a deserved goal in first-half stoppage time to make it 5-0.

Following the restart, Ward introduced Amber Barrett, Leanne Kiernan and Tyler Toland to maintain the pressure. The sixth goal arrived in the 58th minute as Jamie Finn recorded her first international goal, finishing a well-worked move involving Anna Patten and Aoife Mannion.

The match also featured a memorable debut for Shanade Hopcroft, who was introduced in the 70th minute. Within two minutes of entering the pitch, the midfielder clinically finished a cross from Larkin to extend the lead. Jessie Stapleton completed the scoring in the closing stages, looping a header into the net to wrap up a professional performance.

The result provides Ireland with a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this Tuesday. The winner of this tie will progress to face either Belgium or Poland in the decisive Round Two play-off.

Kazakhstan: Nazym Ismailova (Angelina Portnova 39); Alexandra Burova, Yulia Myasnikova (C), Bibigul Nurusheva, Anastassiya Vlassova; Yekaterina Babshuk, Anastassiya Nizamutdinova (Kazyna Norbayeva 62), Karina Zhumabaikyzy (Valeriya Popova 75); Aida Gaistenova, Amina Bibossynova, Asselkhan Turlybekova (Leila Sadykova 75).

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan (C); Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes (Hayley Nolan 70), Anna Patten (Shanade Hopcroft 70), Jessie Stapleton, Chloe Mustaki; Megan Connolly (Tyler Toland 46), Jamie Finn; Abbie Larkin, Emily Murphy (Leanne Kiernan 46), Kyra Carusa (Amber Barrett 46).

Referee: Karoline Marie Jensen (Norway)

Sky Player of the Match: Chloe Mustaki