Women's Nations League: Ireland win 4-2 at the Aviva Stadium against Belgium

Eva Osborne

The Republic of Ireland will take a 4-2 lead into next week's second leg of their Women's Nations League playoff against Belgium.

Katie McCabe got a hat-trick, including a first-half penalty, before Marissa Sheva's goal sealed an impressive win at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.

The two sides meet again in Leuven on Tuesday night.

The Irish Examiner's John Fallon reported that it was a pity only 14,118 were in Lansdowne Road to witness Katie McCabe's masterclass.

The Arsenal winger put Ireland ahead in the 45th minute. Belgium made it equal through a goal from Tessa Wullaert in the 52nd minute.

It was a shortlived draw, as McCabe scored two minutes later and again in the 62nd minute, before Marissa Sheva scored the side's fourth goal just four minutes later.

Belgium managed to pull one back through Marie Detruyer in the 82nd minute, to leave the scoreline at 4-2.