'I'm disappointed we conceded two sloppy goals' - Katie McCabe not dwelling on hat-trick close call

24 October 2025; Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe after the UEFA Women's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off first leg match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Katie McCabe insists she’s not bothered at being stripped of her hat-trick goal in Ireland’s 4-2 win over Belgium.

Carla Ward’s team defied their underdog tag to pummel the League A side in a playoff that will determine which team has a smoother path to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

McCabe delivered when it mattered – unlike her last visit which almost ended in a sending off during the Euro playoff defeat to Wales.

Arsenal’s Champions League winner was a menace to the Belgians, between her vicious set-piece deliveries and exquisite finishing.

She had a direct role in the first three goals before whipping in the corner for the fourth from Marissa Sheva.

Despite Uefa initially awarding the second goal of the game to McCabe, they changed it to an own-goal to Nicky Evrard as the shot off the post last touched the Belgian goalkeeper on its way into the net.

Her two previous hat-tricks were notched in strolls over Georgia and Albania.

Belgium reducing the arrears eight minutes from the end injects a different complexion on the outcome but unless Ireland capitulate in Tuesday’s second leg in Leuven, they’ll pocket a playoff parachute even before the regular qualifiers kick off in February.

The draw for the qualifiers takes place on November 4.

“Nah, I’m not worried about the hat-trick at all,” said McCabe (30).

“As long as it went in, that was the key for me. The goalkeeper’s starting position was quite high so I thought I would have a go.

“And I was delighted to see it in the back of the net, another goal in front. Maybe a hat-trick another time.”

Tuesday will mark McCabe’s 100th cap and she won’t want it spoiled by the coughing of a commanding lead.

Replicating the intensity of their pressing approach will be essential.

McCabe was adamant this performance was overdue but understandable given Ward arrived into the job in February.

“We showed great composure in the first-half in terms of what we were trying to do with our game-plan,” explained McCabe.

“We didn’t give Belgium that much in that first-half at all. We were rewarded with the penalty for our discipline.

“I was aware of the noise around the team not being pretty to watch but we were at it from the start.

“There was a transition at the start of the year, dealing with the disappointment of the Wales defeat, to changing manager, staff and coaches.

“With that, there will be bumps in the road and we have seen that in the Nations League, it wasn’t the prettiest performance.

“But we did our best, finished as strongly as possible.

“This camp was collecting all of that, making sure we are aligned and clear in what we are trying to do.

“And turning the disappointment of last year at the Aviva into a positive today and I’m really proud of how we did that.

“To be honest, I was disappointed we conceded two sloppy goals.

“It was a great win but we have to be humble because Belgium will be a test on Tuesday.”