Ireland Women Secure Big World Cup Qualifying Lead Over Kazakhstan

Republic of Ireland Women beat 10-player Kazakhstan 8-0 in a World Cup Qualifying play-off semi-final first leg in Astana.

Carla Ward’s side went ahead in seven minutes with a Kyra Carusa header from a Chloe Mustaki cross, following a free kick that had been initially punched clear by goalkeeper Nazym Ismailova.

Mustaki scored the second goal herself with a powerful finish, after Abbie Larkin’s shot was blocked and Emily Murphy hit the rebound against the post.

It was 3-0 within before the half-hour as Carusa again nodded home a delivery from Mustaki after the keeper missed the cross.

Kazakhstan lost captain Yulia Myasnikova when a VAR review saw her yellow card upgraded to red, and then their goalkeeper had to be replaced due to an injury.

Substitute keeper Angelina Portnova parried Larkin’s shot, allowing Murphy to turn in the loose ball, and Larkin made it 5-0 herself before the break via a weighted volley back across the goalmouth from Mustaki.

It was 6-0 before the hour mark, with Jamie Finn heading home a cross from Aoife Mannion.

Shanade Hopcroft came off the bench to swiftly score on her debut, sweeping home Larkin’s low cross.

Larkin was also the provider as her ball was headed back across the goal and in by Jessie Stapleton.

The return leg in Cork takes place on Tuesday 13 October, with the overall winners set to face the victors from the Belgium-Poland matchup for a spot in the 2027 tournament finals in Brazil.