Katie McCabe scored the Republic of Ireland’s first ever goal at a Women’s World Cup in extraordinary fashion, netting straight from a corner against Canada.
The Girls In Green had never qualified for the World Cup proper in their history, making their first ever appearance at a major tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
As such, McCabe’s strike in the first half against a Canada side ranked 15 places higher than Ireland was her country’s first on the biggest stage in the game.
It came just three minutes into the clash, setting up what promised to be a thrilling encounter with the underdogs taking a very early and unexpected lead.
With the ball out on the far right-hand corner, McCabe struck the ball with her left boot, sending the in-swinging cross towards the back post where a crowd of bodies were waiting.
Ireland’s Katie McCabe opened the scoring for Republic of Ireland against Canada direct from a corner
Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was outfoxed by the flight of the ball which flew into the back of the net
McCabe netted her country’s first ever goal at the World Cup in the maiden appearance
KATIE MCCABE SCORES DIRECTLY FROM A CORNER ¿¿
The captain scores #IRL’s first-ever goal at a #FIFAWWC… and it is nothing short of magic! pic.twitter.com/9d7ZqTAl5q
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 26, 2023
But whether it was intentional or not, the Gunner midfielder caught the ball so sweetly that Kailen Sheridan in goal was outfoxed by the flight of the ball, which kept high and smashed into the top left corner for sex pills the opening goal.
Understandably elated, McCabe stood in front of the fans with her arms outstretched, taking in the praise as she was mobbed by her stunned team-mates.
Incredible as the opening goal was, Ireland were unable to hold onto their lead, with Canada pegging them back before the interval.
In the fourth minute of added time in the opening period, defender Megan Connolly turned the ball into her own net, scrambling back to block a shot following a Julia Grosso cross.
That equaliser proved to be the first of a crushing double blow either side of the break as the Maple Leafs’ quality ultimately shone through in the tie to dump the Irish out of the competition.
Just eight minutes into the second half, Adriana Leon picked up the ball from Sophie Schmidt inside the box.
The Manchester United forward then held off pressure from goalscorer McCabe in the penalty area, before unleashing a shot into the bottom corner past Courtney Brosnan to hand Canada the lead for the first time in the match.
The reigning Olympic champions managed to hold on to their advantage for the final 37 minutes of the clash, despite a fightback from the Irish.
McCabe’s side were knocked out of the World Cup after suffering their defeat in their second ever game at a major tournament
The underdogs had been handed a blow before the game even got going, as Heather Payne felt a tweak in her hamstring during the warm-up and was replaced in the team by Aine O’Gorman, casting her continued involvement in doubt.
Ireland will next be in action against Nigeria on Monday, still looking for a first win, having narrowly lost to Australia last time out.
Canada meanwhile top the group, although Australia have played one game fewer, and will retake top spot with a win over Nigeria, against whom Canada drew in their first outing.
Ireland were placed in the tournament’s ‘group of death’, with Australia and Canada among the contenders for the trophy, and Nigeria the 11-time African champions.
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