by Staff Writer
Wednesday, 29th October 2025
It was another busy night of international football for West Ham United Women, with ten players representing their countries in crucial UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday.
Starting in Africa, Inès Belloumou and Algeria celebrated qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 win over Cameroon in Douala. Holding a 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg, Marine Dafeur’s first-half strike sealed Algeria’s spot at next summer’s tournament in Morocco.
Belloumou, who started and impressed throughout, joined jubilant celebrations as her side confirmed their place in the finals.
Meanwhile, in Vienna, Verena Hanshaw played the full match as Austria produced late drama to retain their League A status. Trailing Czechia 1-0 from the first leg, a Sarah Puntigam penalty levelled the tie before the visitors were reduced to ten players. Substitute Jennifer Klein then struck in the 89th minute to complete the turnaround and secure Austria’s survival.
There was disappointment for Eva Nyström and Oona Siren, whose Finland side fell 8-1 on aggregate to Denmark, losing 2-0 in the second leg at Parken Stadium. Both Hammers started, with Nyström completing the full 90 minutes and Siren substituted late on as Denmark maintained their League A position.
Elsewhere, Jess Ziu and Jessie Stapleton helped the Republic of Ireland earn promotion to League A with a dramatic victory over Amber Tysiak’s Belgium.
With the tie level on aggregate at half-time following Tessa Wullaert’s brace, Ziu’s Ireland grabbed a stunning last-minute winner through Abbie Larkin to seal the result. Both Stapleton and Tysiak started at centre-back, though it was heartbreak for the Belgian Hammer as Ireland celebrated at the final whistle.
In Germany’s camp, Shekiera Martinez enjoyed a memorable first senior international experience as her side advanced to the Nations League final with a 3-2 aggregate win over France. Goals from Nicole Anyomi and Klara Bühl secured Germany’s progress despite a late French response, setting up a meeting with World Cup holders Spain.
Halle Houssein remained on the bench as Türkiye emphatically retained their League B status, defeating Kosovo 7-0 on aggregate. Having won 4-0 in the first leg, Türkiye added three more goals in the return fixture through Melike Pekel, Kader Hançar, and Busem Şeker.
There was success too for Anna Csiki, who helped Hungary to a 1-0 victory away to Slovakia, thanks to Viktoria Szabó’s early goal.
Elsewhere, Leila Wandeler’s Switzerland edged a thrilling 4-3 win over Scotland in a friendly at East End Park. Wandeler remained an unused substitute as her side triumphed in a back-and-forth encounter sealed by Smilla Vallotto’s second-half strike.
At Rodney Parade, Ffion Morgan played the full match for Wales, but her side fell 5-2 to Poland, with West Ham teammate Kinga Szemik an unused substitute for the visitors. Wales trailed narrowly at half-time before three second-half Polish goals sealed the result.
Finally, Katrina Gorry captained Australia in their friendly against England at Pride Park, featuring for the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 defeat.
The Matildas held the Lionesses until Alanna Kennedy’s red card shifted the momentum, with goals from Aggie Beever-Jones, Lucy Bronze, and Georgia Stanway completing the win. Anouk Denton, recently called into the senior England squad for the first time, was not named in the matchday lineup.
In other action, Shelina Zadorsky completed another full match for Canada, who narrowly lost 1-0 to the Netherlands in Nijmegen after a Lynn Wilms strike. Meanwhile, Riko Ueki was an unused substitute as Japan suffered a 2-0 defeat to Norway in Cádiz, where Signe Gaupset’s brace proved decisive.
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