Women's Nations League round-up: Katie McCabe hat-trick for Republic of Ireland as Jenni Hermoso scores winner on Spain return
Jenni Hermoso scored the winner for Spain against Italy off the bench in her first game since the 'kiss-gate' scandal involving former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales; Northern Ireland were beaten in stoppage time in Hungary as Wales and Scotland were thrashed
Saturday 28 October 2023 00:02, UK
Katie McCabe grabbed a hat-trick as the Republic of Ireland cruised to a 5-1 win over Albania in the Women's Nations League at Dublin's Tallaght Stadium.
Having beaten Northern Ireland and Hungary last month, victory in the return fixture in Albania on Tuesday could see the Girls in Green qualify from Group B1 with two matches to spare.
They took the lead after only three minutes when Abbie Larkin's cross from the right was controlled and tucked away at the near post by Arsenal winger McCabe.
But the hosts were pegged back within three minutes after a high ball into the box was met by the unmarked Albania skipper Megi Doci.
However, McCabe struck again in the 25th minute with a deflected effort after Albania only half-cleared a corner.
Ireland got some breathing space 10 minutes after half-time when McCabe played the ball in for Kyra Carusa to add the third goal.
McCabe had the final say with a fine free-kick to cap a decent night's work for the Irish.
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Northern Ireland conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose their Nations League match 3-2 in Hungary having twice fought back to level.
Hungary defender Hanna Nemeth struck the winner in the fourth minute of added time after Simone Magill's late penalty appeared to have rescued Northern Ireland a point in Gyor.
Caragh Hamilton's late header cancelled out Viktoria Szabo's
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