Ireland 1-2 Canada
It all started so well for Ireland in Perth, with a remarkable strike from Katie McCabe giving them an early lead against the Olympic champions. They dominated the first half, but could not extend their lead.
Unfortunately, a poor goal conceded in injury time proved to be a turning point in the game. Canada came out firing in the early portion of the second half, putting themselves in front soon after.
Ireland pushed for an equaliser, but they found themselves up against a resilient defence. In the end, they were condemned to the defeat that ended their chances of advancing to the World Cup knockout stages.
Here's how we rated the performance on the day.
Ireland Player Ratings vs Canada
Courtney Brosnan - 7
Courtney Brosnan was relatively untested in the opening half, only being asked to clean up a couple of balls in behind and make one routine save from distance. She ensured Ireland kept the pace high when she got on the ball, immediately getting them playing once again.
She was called into action early in the second half, producing a stunning save to keep Ireland on level terms. There was little she could do about either goal.
Niamh Fahey - 7
While most of the Canadian attacks came down the right flank in the opening 45 minutes, few of them did much to trouble Fahey. However, she probably could have done more to prevent the cross that led to the first Canada goal.
The right flank continued to be an issue in the second half, putting the Galway woman under quite a bit of pressure at times. She dealt well with it, including making a couple of last-ditch blocks.
Louise Quinn - 7
Louise Quinn had very little to do in terms of defending in the first half, although she dealt well with the couple of attacks that came her way.
Unfortunately, she could not cut out the cross that led to the second Canada goal. Deployed as an emergency striker in the closing stages.
Megan Connolly - 6
Connolly was untested for the majority of the opening half, but she probably should have dealt a bit better with with the ball into the box that led to the Canadian opener.
She struggled to cope with runners in behind at times, especially with balls played into the box.
Aine O'Gorman - 6
A late replacement in the side for the injured Heather Payne, O'Gorman brought no shortage of energy to that right flank going forward. In saying that her quality on the ball did let her down on occasion, while she was also caught in behind a few times.
Replace just before the hour mark.
Katie McCabe - 9
Katie McCabe gave Ireland the perfect start in the game, scoring directly from a corner in dramatic fashion inside the opening few minutes. She was absolutely sensational in the first half, popping up all over the pitch. Not only was she a nuisance in the final third, she also popped up with a number of important headers in her own penalty area.
She grew frustrated in the second half as Ireland got little attacking joy, playing in a more forward position for the least 20 minutes or so.
The Arsenal woman was the one that pushed the initiative in the closing stages and was the best player on the pitch by quite some distance.
Ruesha Littlejohn - 6
Littlejohn acted as the organiser in midfield, ensuring there was no space for the Canadians to exploit in the middle third. She also made a couple of key contributions in cutting out dangerous opposition attacks.
She seemed to tire quite a bit as the game went on before coming off with 25 minutes to go.
Denise O'Sullivan - 6
Playing in that deeper role, Denise O'Sullivan did not contribute as much in the final third as you would be accustomed to seeing. In saying that, she did look good on the ball whenever given the opportunity and got forward on occasion.
You would have hoped to see more from her as Ireland pushed for the equaliser late on, but it wasn't to be.
Sinead Farrelly - 7
Sinead Farrelly was very impressive in the opening exchanges, coming close to scoring a second Ireland goal with a strike from outside the box in the 10th minute. Her touch in the middle third was exemplary.
She did tire quite a bit in the second half before being replaced.
Lucy Quinn - 7
The only change to the side from the Australia game, Quinn made a lively start to the game. She brought more quality on the ball in comparison to Sheva in the tournament opener.
She was key in launching Ireland's counterattacks, although she would then come off at halftime.
Kyra Carusa - 8
Carusa was impressive right from the off, with her movement and shot in the box leading to the corner that resulted in Ireland's opening goal. Her hold up play was exceptional, as was her pressing.
This was arguably the striker's best performance in green, especially in the opening half. It was somewhat of a surprise to see her taken off so early.
Substitutes
Abbie Larkin - 7
Coming on at halftime, Larkin was very impressive once again. She looked like Ireland's biggest attacking threat for much of the second half.
Marissa Sheva - 6
Playing in an unfamiliar wingback rule, Sheva did make a couple of big contributions at the back after coming on. In saying that, you would have hoped to see a bit more from her going forward.
Lily Agg - 6
Not involved a huge amount in the game after coming on.
Amber Barrett - 6
Given the opportunity to play after being left on the bench in the opening game, Barrett did not receive much service after coming on.
Izzy Atkinson - 7
Allowing McCabe to push further up the pitch, Atkinson was solid after her introduction.
SEE ALSO: Fans In Awe As Katie McCabe Scores Ireland's First World Cup Goal With Outrageous Corner
