Irelands World Cup dreams ended in disappointment on Wednesday in a rainy Perth, after a 2-1 defeat to Olympic Champions, Canada.
Jessie Fleming was reintroduced to the Canadian line-up after an injury kept her out of Canadas opening game, whilst Christine Sinclair was on the bench.
Ireland made two changes from their opening games against Australia. Lucy Quinn replaced Marissa Sheva, while Heather Payne was forced out through a hamstring injury, with Shamrock Rovers Aine O’Gorman replacing her.
Ireland dominated the first-half, with captain Katie McCabe scoring and ‘Olimpico’ goal, directly from a corner in the fourth minute, becoming the first Woman to ever score for Ireland at a major tournament.
Ireland’s first ever goal at a @FIFAWWC 🙌⚽️@Katie_McCabe11 with one of the great World Cup goals 🇮🇪💚#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE | #FIFAWWC
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 26, 2023
Canada had 67 percent possession in the first half, however a lot of this was played in their own half, as they only managing one attempt on target.
Lucy Quinn put in an immense first half shift for the Girls in Green, sending dangerous balls down the line to Kyra Carusa, who really stood out in the first half, for her hold up play ability, and strength.
Canadas best chance came in the 30th minute of the first half, when Buchanan sent a deep cross into the Ireland box, which Giles managed to get a foot to, but she just got underneath it, sending the shot over the crossbar.
Ruesha Littlejohn was winning the battles in Midfield for Ireland, sweeping up a lot of the Canadian passes into the final third.
There was initially five minutes of additional time indicated, however an injury to Buchanan in the initial five minutes, extended that time to nine minutes.
Disaster struck for Ireland in the 45 +5 minute, after Julia Grosso curled a cross into the box, which Irelands Megan Connolly stuck out a leg to block, but instead deflected the ball into her own net.
Ireland will have went in at half-time feeling very optimistic, after playing the better football, and having more shots on goal than the team ranked 7th in the World.
Ireland made one change at half time, bringing in Abbie Larkin for Lucy Quinn for a direct swap.
Beverly Priestman made three changes at half-time, in an attempt to get her team into the game, with the experienced Christine Sinclair coming in for Evelyne Viens, Sophie Schmidt replacing Julia Grosso, and Shelina Zadorsky replacing Kadeisha Buchanan, who was struggling against Ireland Carusa.
Canada came alive in the second half. Jordyn Huitema forced an amazing save from Courntey Brosnan in the 50th minute, as Canada continued to pile on the pressure.
It was in the 53rd minute, Irish hearts around the world began to break, when substitute Sophie Schmidt found Adriana Leon in the box. Leon got a good first touch and managed to pass the ball past Brosnan and into the back of the Irish net.
GOAL! Canada lead through an inch perfect pass from Sophie Schmidt to setup Adriana Leon! 🇨🇦#WeCAN #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/LMFJRI3qP0
— CAN Soccer’s WNT (@CANWNT) July 26, 2023
Five minutes later, Marissa Sheva replaced Aine O’Gorman, while goalscorer Leon was replaced by Cloe Lacasse.
Ireland pushed for an equaliser, to keep their hopes alive. After a superb run down the left from McCabe in the 63rd minute, Carusa just got underneath the cross, heading it over the bar.
It looked like Canada might seal it with a third goal in the 67th minute, after the ball came to Sinclair, searching for her 191th goal for her country, but it seemed to come off of her shin, and the shot landed in Brosnans hands.
Ireland manager Vera Pauw laid her cards down before the 70th minute, replacing Littlejohn, Carusa and Farelly, with Agg, Barrett, and Atkinson, but Canada were able to hold out.
Ashley Lawrence really provided a sense of leadership for the Canadians in the second half, causing multiple problems for Ireland on the left-side. If one of Lawrences crosses was attacked with conviction, Canada may have scored a third.
Ireland captain, Katie McCabe, my Player of the Match, desperately attempted to drag her team back, taking on Canadas defence all by herself on multiple occasions.
There was five additional minutes in the second half, in which Ireland tried their best to find an equaliser.
Riviere went down for Canada in additional time, which took the sting out of any potential attack Ireland were forming, and eventually the final whistle blew after Giles cleared a McCabe cross.
Canada have their first win of the 2023 #FIFAWWC! 🇨🇦@LeonAdriana9's winner gave the @CANWNT a hard-fought win over a determined Irish side. 👏#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 26, 2023
Canada sit on 4 points, at the top of Group B for now. However, the team ranked 7th in the world will be hoping for an improvement in form, if they are to progress to the Round-of 16.
It is heartbreak for the Girls in Green though, with one game remaining against Nigeria, they will not progress the Round-of 16.
Proud 💚🇮🇪#COYGIG | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/g7mCScHQfn
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 26, 2023
The Nation could not be prouder of our history making team. This is only the beginning.
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