Canada 2-1 Republic of Ireland: Kate McCabe goal not enough as Irish are knocked out after second loss
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 26/07/2023 at 14:27 GMT
The Republic of Ireland have been knocked out of the 2023 World Cup despite Kate McCabe scoring directly from a corner against Canada. McCabe opened the scoring early on but Canada were able to come back and win 2-1 thanks to an own-goal from Megan Connolly and a second-half goal from Adriana Leon. Canada now sit top of Group B but hosts Australia, who won their opener, have a game in hand.
Lack of England goals 'not a concern' for Greenwood ahead of Denmark test
Canada came from behind to knock the Republic of Ireland out of the Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win, responding well to a stunning Katie McCabe opener.
The Irish knew before kick-off that defeat would ensure their elimination with a game to spare following their narrow opening-day loss to co-hosts Australia.
McCabe scored direct from a corner inside the opening four minutes to get them off to a dream start and spark hopes of a famous win in Perth.
But a Megan Connolly own goal deep in first-half stoppage time levelled the score before Adriana Leon edged Canada in front in a second period dominated by the Olympic champions.
Canada rose to the top of Group B on four points ahead of Australia's meeting with Nigeria on Thursday. Their next game is against the co-hosts in Melbourne on Monday.
Ireland's first-ever Women's World Cup goal arrived in the most spectacular of fashions, when McCabe curved a high delivery from the corner flag over goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan and into the far top corner to spark scenes of jubilation.
Canada looked stunned by the early setback as Sinead Farrelly forced a good save from Sheridan, but the Olympic champions eventually grew into the game and should have drawn level when Vanessa Gilles volleyed over a golden chance from five yards.
With seconds remaining until half-time and wild rain and wind lashing the players, Canada equalised as Julia Grosso’s cross from the left wing evaded everyone and took a touch off the unfortunate Connolly before nestling in the bottom corner.
Canada issued a statement of intent by making a triple change at the break, including the introduction of Christine Sinclair, the veteran striker who was benched after missing a penalty against Nigeria that would have made her the first male or female player to score in six World Cups.
The Canadians were a side transformed in the second half and soon threatened when Jordyn Huitema’s curling effort was palmed away by a flying Courtney Brosnan, before making the breakthrough in the 53rd minute when Leon met a fine pass from substitute Sophie Schmidt to fire home.
Sinclair twice threatened a historic goal but her finishing let her down, while Cloe Lacasse headed a good opportunity wide as Canada piled on the pressure in search of a third goal.
McCabe did everything she could to drag her side back into contention, driving at the Canadian defence and peppering efforts at goal as the minutes ticked down, but even she couldn't inspire a late turnaround.
Player of the match – Katie McCabe
On this occasion, the award deserves to go to a player on the losing side. McCabe did everything she could to earn her side a famous win, showing her outstanding quality with a virtuoso opening goal before being at the heart of their best attacking moments thereafter. She has made her mark on this World Cup with or without an early elimination.
Talking point – Ireland made to pay for profligacy
If Ireland will leave Perth with one regret, it will be not making the most of their superb start. McCabe’s extraordinary opener was a wonderful moment and a fitting first-ever Women’s World Cup goal for her country, but the girls in green struggled to convert the more routine chances.
Ireland succeeded in working the keeper and creating openings but didn’t possess the kind of composure that Leon showed for Canada’s second goal. That coolness is required to make progress in the cut-throat nature major competitions and ultimately a lack of it from the Irish leaves them with zero points despite commendable performances against two international giants in Australia and Canada.
PLAYER RATINGS
Canada: Sheridan 7, Riviere 7, Buchanan 5, Gilles 6, Lawrence 7, Quinn 7, Fleming 7, Grosso 7, Huitema 8, Viens 5, Leon 7.
Subs: Zadorsky 6, Sinclair 7, Schmidt 7, Lacasse 6
Rep. of Ireland: Brosnan 7, Connolly 5, Louise Quinn 6, Fahey 6, McCabe 8, Littlejohn 6, O'Sullivan 6, O’Gorman 6, Farrelly 6, Carusa 7, Lucy Quinn 6.
Subs: Larkin 6, Sheva 6, Barrett 6, Atkinson 6, Agg 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
5’ GOAL! INCREDIBLE OPENER FROM MCCABE!
WOW! Ireland's first ever World Cup goal is an absolute stunner as McCabe whips her delivery from a corner directly into the top far corner of the net! Outstanding technique from the Arsenal star, and what a start for the Irish.
31’ HUGE CANADA CHANCE!
Oh, what a miss! A cross is nodded on and drops in front of Gilles five yards out, but she volleys over the bar on the stretch. A big chance goes begging for Canada but that's a warning to Ireland.
45+5’ GOAL! CANADA LEVEL!
Where did that come from?! With seconds to go until half-time, Canada draw level.
A cross from the left wing evades everybody and flies into the far bottom corner - it seems to take a final touch off Connolly and that will go down as an own goal.
54’ GOAL! CANADA TAKE THE LEAD THROUGH LEON!
The Canadian comeback is complete! It's a great pass from Schmidt to pick out Leon in the box, and the Portland Thorns winger keeps her composure to beat the keeper while under pressure from a defender.
KEY STATS
- Canada have lost 12 of their 15 Women’s World Cup matches against European sides, avoiding defeat against only the Netherlands (1-1) and Switzerland (1-0), both in 2015, before today's win over the Republic of Ireland.
- The Republic of Ireland are only the second European nation - after Scotland in 2019 - to lose their first two Women's World Cup games ever.
Scan me
Share this article