Final Score: Canada 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Goalscorers: Connolly 45+5′ (OG), Leon 53′; McCabe 4′
2023 Women’s World Cup
Group B Matchday 2

Match Recap

Canada picked up three important points in their second match at the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday, beating the Republic of Ireland 2-1 to go to the top of Group B.

The tournament debutants scored very early on, giving themselves an early lead with their first ever World Cup finals goal. Katie McCabe curled an early corner kick toward the back post, and it ended up finding the back of the net. Kailen Sheridan went up to push it over the crossbar but whiffed on it, and there wasn’t a defender guarding the back post, and Canada paid the price. 

Jordyn Huitema, starting this match on the left wing after playing the opener against Nigeria up top, had Canada’s first shot on target in the 24th minute, with a left-footed strike from distance that was comfortably stopped by Courtney Brosnan. Vanessa Gilles came agonizingly close to equalising for Canada a few minutes later, getting on the end of a cross at the edge of the six-yard box, but her effort from a few yards out ended up going over the bar. 

For the entirety of the opening half, Canada looked frustrated and shaken up after the early goal. They never really got an attacking rhythm going, and appeared to be trying to force things at times — with several players sending crosses into the stands instead of into the penalty area.

They found a goal with moments left in the opening half, as a cross into the box was redirected into the back of the net by Megan Connolly. It was an unfortunate goal to concede for the Ireland defender, but for Canada it was a much-needed lifeline after a poor half.

Canada started the second half much better than the first, looking livelier as play resumed. Bev Priestman brought Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt, and Shelina Zadorsky onto the pitch at the half, replacing Evelyne Viens, Julia Grosso, and Kadeisha Buchanan, respectively. Huitema forced a big save from Brosnan with a shot a few minutes into the second half, before Canada took the lead a few minutes later.

Sophie Schmidt picked up the loose ball in midfield and played a diagonal pass into the box to Adriana Leon to get the ball between two defenders. Leon controlled the ball well before poking it past Brosnan to give Canada a 2-1 advantage.

ADRIANA LEON GIVES CANADA THE LEAD! 🇨🇦#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/wIKCILHbT1

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 26, 2023

Canada kept knocking at the door, but they couldn’t find a third goal to really put the game to bed. The Republic of Ireland kept pushing as well, looking for their first ever point at the Women’s World Cup, but an equaliser would never come in front of a majority-Irish crowd at Perth Rectangular Stadium.

Les Rouges move to the top of Group B, while Ireland remain at the bottom, with Nigeria and Australia set to play each other on Thursday in both teams’ second match of the tournament.

Three Observations

Brilliant second half performance something for Canada to build on

After a frustrating opening match in which scoring chances were few and far between for a lacklustre Canadian side, it felt as though they were going through the same struggles to start this match as well.

Canada were getting a lot of the ball as Ireland were happy to sit back and let Canada try to beat them, but Les Rouges were shaken up after conceding an early goal. Wide players looked out of answers, firing long passes and crosses in the general direction of the net and hoping someone would get on the end of it, or sending it out of bounds. Evelyne Viens was like an island, smothered by the Irish defenders and not receiving the service she needs to be the lethal finisher she can be.

Players were visibly frustrated by how they were playing, but their spirits were lifted when they scored an equaliser with seconds left in the first half. Julia Grosso played a cross into the box that took a slight deflection off of defender Megan Connolly, and it ended up in the back of the net. It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but they all count just the same and it sparked some life into Canada.

CANADA DRAWS EVEN JUST BEFORE THE HALF! #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/0p3Mex9H19

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 26, 2023

Bev Priestman was bold with her substitutions, taking off Viens, Grosso, and Kadeisha Buchanan at the break and replacing them with Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt and Shelina Zadorsky, respectively — a move that proved to be the right one. Within minutes of the second half kicking off, the ball was in the back of the Irish net again, and Canada had the 2-1 lead that they would hold on to for the rest of the match.

Sophie Schmidt pounced on a loose ball in midfield before turning and firing a diagonal cross into the box for Adriana Leon, who took a touch to angle herself toward goal, before poking it past Courtney Brosnan to give her team the lead. It came after some relentless pressing from Quinn in midfield as well. Canada came out for the second half much more lively than they started the first, and their great start was rewarded.

Several more chances to score presented themself in the second half, but Canada wouldn’t take advantage. Sinclair had a couple of chances in front of goal to score in a sixth-consecutive World Cup, but sent both of her shots right at Brosnan. Jordyn Huitema had a few opportunities as well, but she too couldn’t beat the Irish goalkeeper.

The finishing is the next step for Canada, but the chance creation was finally there after 135 minutes without much of it at this tournament. If Canada can play the attacking football they did in the second 45, couple with their defensive prowess — and do both on a consistent basis — they are capable of beating any team in the world.

That is obviously easier said than done, but it’s Bev Priestman’s job now to unleash her team’s full potential ahead of a massive game against the co-hosts Australia.

Ireland don’t go down without a fight, make history with first Women’s World Cup goal

Canada knew that the Republic of Ireland would be a difficult opponent, Bev Priestman said as much before the match by calling them “a horrible team to play against” in a complimentary way in her pregame press conference. That turned out to be exactly what they were, but in the end Canada’s quality shone through in the second half to pick up the three points. 

The Girls in Green got off to a dream start in this match, as captain Katie McCabe scored their first-ever goal at a Women’s World Cup. After her side won an early corner, McCabe curled the ball to the back post. Kailen Sheridan went up to get it, but couldn’t get her outstretched hand onto the ball to push it over the bar, and it went straight into the net. They celebrated in front of a majority-Irish crowd, a moment that will be remembered in the country for a long, long time. 

OLIMPICO ALERT!!

Katie McCabe scores directly from the corner kick for a stunner to give Ireland the 1-0 lead!#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/y8k7U641pG

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 26, 2023

McCabe spearheaded several Irish attacks, taking a few shots herself and also looking to be the provider at times. As she often is, McCabe was also one of Ireland’s best players on the defensive side of the ball, making a couple of important tackles as well as three clearances and an interception. She has a reputation for not shying away from physical play as well, and she and Jayde Riviere were among the players going at each other a few times on the wing, scrapping for every loose ball and every inch of turf.

Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and the rest of the Irish defenders were good in this match as well, with the exception of an unfortunate deflection off of Megan Connolly for the equalizing goal. At times seven or eight players would sit back to defend against a Canadian attack that was getting frustrated, and borderline desperate, for a goal. They were resolute, but were beaten in the end by a moment of real quality from Sophie Schmidt and Adriana Leon on the game-winner.

With the defeat, they have been eliminated from the competition, but have a chance still to make even more history at what is their first appearance at the Women’s World Cup. They play Nigeria in their third match, and after scoring their first goal on Wednesday, will be keen to pick up that first win as well, potentially spoiling the party for the Super Falcons in the process.

Canada go top of Group B, put themselves in a good position to advance

After both failing to win their opening matches, Wednesday’s game at Perth Rectangular Stadium was about as close to must-win as it gets.

Ireland knew that a defeat would see them eliminated from the competition, while Canada’s chances of advancing would have taken a serious hit had they lost and Nigeria beaten Australia on Thursday. Ireland took an early lead on a wonderful goal from Katie McCabe, but in the end Canada dug deep and found a way to find two goals, and all three points.

The win puts them at the top of Group B with Nigeria and Australia set to play their second matches against each other on Thursday. It also leaves their fate in their own hands as they remain in a good position to advance past the group stage.

If Australia win tomorrow’s match, they will confirm their place in the Round of 16. If Nigeria win, however, things get a little bit more interesting. If that happens, they and Canada would be in the top two entering the final matchday, with Australia just a single point back. If the Aussies win against Nigeria, a single point against the Matildas will be enough to send Canada through to the knockouts as Nigeria wouldn’t be able to reach Canada’s points tally.

There is a big incentive for finishing first in the group as well: avoiding the winner of Group D in the Round of 16, which is expected to be European champions England. The confidence boost of growing into the tournament and ending it with a win is obviously important as well.

When it mattered 🙌#WeCAN #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/hoQL2XLX8O

— CAN Soccer’s WNT (@CANWNT) July 26, 2023