Thrilling Showdown at Women's World Cup as Australia Edges Republic of Ireland with Decisive Steph Catley Penalty

Steph Catley successfully converted a penalty in the second half, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Australia, who are co-hosting the Women's World Cup. The Australian team, however, faced challenges as their captain, Sam Kerr, was unable to play in the first two group matches due to a calf injury suffered during training.

The Irish side received a much-needed boost before their inaugural World Cup finals appearance, with Catley's spot-kick ultimately deciding the outcome of the match after Hayley Raso was fouled by Marissa Sheva.

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Catley fires Australia ahead from the penalty spot

Catley's shot from 12 yards was powerful, as it found the top right corner of Courtney Brosnan's goal. Despite this, the goalkeeper didn't face much pressure as Australia struggled to create chances and lacked a strong attacking presence without Kerr.

"We were devastated to lose a player like Sam, who is arguably the best player in the world. Not just her talent, but also her presence as a person," Catley confessed after the match.

Pauw expressed her disappointment at the outcome of the game in Sydney, acknowledging that both teams knew it would be decided by one mistake. Despite a commendable performance by Katie McCabe leading the Ireland side with promise and determination, they were unable to overcome Australia's strong resolve, with over 75,000 fans cheering on the Matildas to victory.

How Australia laboured to lucky win

Australia, devastated by the sudden withdrawal of Kerr due to injury, initially struggled to find their footing but eventually managed to secure a hard-fought victory.

According to Australian captain Catley, her team's performance could be described as "excessively enthusiastic" due to the pressure of being the host nation. However, she demonstrated composure and successfully converted a penalty in the 52nd minute to ultimately overcome Ireland's commendable resistance.

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Sam Kerr's absence for two matches has been confirmed due to a calf injury. Following the goal, spectators at Stadium Australia erupted with joy; however, the team's difficulty in finding a suitable replacement for Kerr became evident, as they lacked significant attacking power. Meanwhile, Ireland, unfortunate not to secure any points, came close to equalizing in the later stages of the game.

Caitlin Foord missed an opportunity to score a second goal for Australia when she aimlessly headed the ball across the goal in the 68th minute. However, this marked the turning point for Ireland as they abandoned their defensive strategy and opted for a more aggressive counter-press approach. In stoppage time, Megan Connolly's free-kick narrowly missed the top corner of the goal, causing some concern for the Australian team. Shortly after, McCabe's close-range shot was well saved by Mackenzie Arnold.

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In Ireland's match against Australia, Katie McCabe fiercely fought for the ball while going up against Hayley Raso. However, in the fading moments of the game, Louise Quinn missed a golden opportunity for Ireland as she narrowly headed the ball wide of the far post.

McCabe: We won't shy away from challenge

Ireland captain Katie McCabe spoke to ITV and stated:

Australia should take heart in the fact that they secured maximum points from a match where their performance may not have warranted it. Despite this, they will still believe that they have a genuine chance of becoming strong contenders, especially considering their confidence-boosting victories over England, Spain, and France this year.

The team gained a surge of energy from the changes. Towards the end, the Australians were becoming exhausted, and our aim was to sustain the pressure on them and force them to make mistakes - this resulted in numerous set-piece chances.

The second half showcased our team in a more favorable light, and we will strive to carry those positive aspects into the upcoming match against Canada.

Analysis: Ireland should take heart

: The experience was great - I believe it was enjoyable for everyone. Although there were a few challenging moments, as mentioned earlier in the week, we embrace them without hesitation. The intensity of the game is something we truly appreciate.

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Katie McCabe is focussed on the positives despite losing opening Group B match

We' Laura Hunter:

The Australian performance resembled England's opener in last summer's Euros - nervous, tense, and slightly apprehensive. The weight of expectations from the home nation weighed heavily on shoulders unaccustomed to such pressure. However, history has shown that teams in contention must possess the ability to win despite playing poorly.

"Truly, the Australians were fortunate to secure that win. As stated by Ireland manager Vera Pauw after the match, it was apparent that the outcome would be determined by a single error. It was a very close call. Ultimately, it was Irish defender Marissa Sheva who made the mistake.

Nevertheless, there is potential for Ireland to benefit from this experience as they prepare for their upcoming match against Canada in six days. There are positive aspects to take away from their ability to unsettle Australia, display resilience and determination, and maintain competitiveness until the very end. Katie McCabe, in particular, proved to be a formidable leader, guiding a team with genuine potential and confidence."

What is the schedule?

The group stage commenced and will continue for two weeks until August 3. Following this, the top teams from each group along with the runners-up will advance to the round of 16, scheduled to take place from August 5 to August 8.

The quarter-finals, taking place in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney, are set for August 11 and 12. Following that, the first semi-final will be held in Auckland on August 15, while the other semi-final will take place on August 16 at Accor Stadium in Sydney, which will also be the venue for the final on August 20.

A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.