Republic of Ireland’s Abbie Larkin said scoring the winning goal in their Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Belgium was “one of the best feelings” after her strike sealed a 5-4 aggregate win.
The Republic of Ireland led 4-2 after the first leg, but two first-half goals from Tess Wullaert levelled the aggregate score.
However, substitute Larkin netted in the 90th minute to seal promotion to League A for Carla Ward’s side.
“Honestly, it is one of the best feelings I have ever had,” Larkin told RTE Sport.
“Credit to the girls in the second half, we fought through even though the score wasn’t going our way and we never gave up.
“That just shows what we are all about.”
It was a poor first half from the Republic of Ireland but they improved after the restart and manager Ward introduced Larkin on the hour-mark.
Larkin did have a chance before she scored but she fired Kyra Carusa’s pass wide of the left-hand post.
The crucial goal is just the second of her international career so far with and the Crystal Palace forward is hopeful that there will be plenty more in the future.
“As soon as the goal went in, I went ‘wow’ and I nearly started crying but I had to focus for the next two minutes,” Larkin continued.
“I am so proud of myself for what I have done today.
“To score a last-minute winner is one of my dreams and hopefully I can do it a lot more in the future.”
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