Two goals from Sky Ireland Player of the Match Katie McCabe helped the Ireland Women's National Team beat Belgium 4-2 in the Aviva Stadium.

In front of 14,108 fans, Ireland took the lead from a McCabe penalty just before half-time in this UEFA Nations League Promotion / Relegation Play-Off First Leg.

A wicked cross from the left on 52 minutes from McCabe hit the post and rebounded off Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard into the net to make it 2-0.

McCabe then sprinkled some more of her magic by firing in her second of the night on 62 minutes before Marissa Sheva created a highlight of her own with a superb finish on 66 minutes.

Belgium did score twice, through Tessa Wullaert and Marie Detruyer, but this was an impressive performance by the Girls in Green and it gives them confidence going into the Second Leg on Tuesday, October 28th in Leuven.

Ireland: Grace Moloney; Aoife Mannion, Caitlin Hayes, Jessie Stapleton, Chloe Mustaki; Emily Muphy, Ruesha Littlejohn (Tyler Toland 60), Denise O’Sullivan (Jamie Finn 75), Marissa Sheva, Katie McCabe; Kyra Carusa (Saoirse Noonan 75).

Belgium: Nicky Evrard; Sari Kees, Amber Tysiak, Janice Cayman, Laura Deloose; Elena Dhont (Zenia Martens HT), Tine De Caigney (Maria Detruyer HT), Mariam Toloba (Lisa Petry 83); Jarne Teulings, Tessa Wullaert, Féli Delacauw.

Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Germany).