Katie McCabe's 100th cap was an extra special occasion as a late goal from Abbie Larkin helped the Republic of Ireland clinch promotion to League A of the Nations League with a 5-4 aggregate win over Belgium.
Katie’s team held a 4-2 lead from the first leg in Dublin thanks to her brace, but in the return game, Tessa Wullaert scored twice to level the scores going into the final minute. However Lakin popped up with a crucial strike to put the visitors in front on aggregate again and secure a dramatic promotion, as well as a guaranteed play-off spot for the 2027 World Cup.
Speaking post-match, captain Katie said: "We need to be out of our comfort zone and playing up against the best in order to develop. We've learned so much from these games over the last two legs. Over the course of the two games, I'm very proud of how we reacted. We just want to keep building.
"I think for so long, there's been talk of us not being good enough on the ball going forward. I hope we've showed the fans and people watching. It's something we're constantly wanting to improve.”
Incredibly proud to play 100 games for my country 🇮🇪💚 An honour every single time I pull on the green shirt. Grateful for all the memories, teammates, and support along the way. Topping it off with a win last night 💪🏽☘️ pic.twitter.com/M3E1OrGtGv
— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) October 29, 2025
Meanwhile, Mariona Caldentey’s Spain will look to retain the Nations League title against Germany during the next international break after they beat Sweden 1-0 away from home thanks to an Alexia Putellas goal to complete a 5-0 aggregate win. Mariona played the full 90 minutes, while Stina Blackstenius was introduced in the 55th minute off the bench for the hosts.
In friendly action, Taylor Hinds made her England debut in a 3-0 success against Australia, on a night when six Gunners started at Derby County’s Pride Park. However, the game was marred by an injury to on-loan forward Michelle Agyemang, who was stretchered off 18 minutes after replacing Alessia Russo in the second half.
Alessia was one of three Gunners who were selected by Sarina Weigman from the off alongside Beth Mead and Taylor, winning her first Three Lions cap, having previously represented Jamaica. Meanwhile, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross were selected by the visiting manager, former Gunners boss Joe Montemurro.
The game turned in the 19th minute when Alanna Kennedy was shown a straight red card for denying Alessia a goalscoring opportunity, and England capitalised with Aggie Beever-Jones netting the resulting free-kick, before Lucy Bronze doubled the lead.
Alessia and Taylor were replaced on 62 minutes, with Michelle coming on in attack, but after she went down with what looked like a serious knee injury, Chloe Kelly took her spot for the final 10 minutes, when Georgia Stanway wrapped up the win from the penalty spot. Steph played 70 minutes, while Kyra and Caitlin were withdrawn in second-half stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Victoria Pelova played the final 28 minutes of the Netherlands’ 1-0 win against Canada, but Olivia Smith missed the game after picking up an injury in their previous encounter against Switzerland.
Frida Maanum played he entirety of Norway’s 2-0 win over Japan, while Emily Fox came on in the 69th minute of the USA’s 3-1 success against Portugal on Sunday, who will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on New Zealand in Kansas City.
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