Ireland entered this evening's clash against Georgia knowing that nothing less than a win would do to strengthen their hopes of a play-off place in this group. Considering they had defeated the same opposition on an 11-0 scoreline last year, three points were seen as a near certainty.
So turned out to be the case, with Vera Pauw's side doing a thoroughly professional job to emerge as 9-0 winners, playing some brilliant football along the way.
Here's how we rated the performance on the night as Ireland moved up to second place in their qualifying group.
Ireland player ratings vs Georgia
Courtney Brosnan - 7
Didn't have a save to make in the opening half, spending more time standing near the halfway line than she did in her own penalty area.
It was much of the same story after the interval, with only one long range effort to stop in the second half.
Niamh Fahey - 8
Had very little to do in the way of defending, although Fahey was a constant threat from set-pieces in the other box. She appeared to nod home from close range to double Ireland's lead early on, scoring her first Ireland goal on her 104th appearance. Replays indicated that the ball actually came off her hand but it was missed by the officials.
The Liverpool player continually pushed forward when Ireland were in possession, showing some nice touches on the ball.
Louise Quinn - 9
Like Fahey, Quinn has little defending to do throughout the game. However, she was often Ireland's main target for set-pieces in the opposition box, getting the knockdown for Fahey's goal early on.
She was rewarded for her efforts just after the interval, popping up to nod home a Megan Connolly cross at the far post. Her second would come in the 73rd minute, a well taken header from a McCabe free-kick.
'There's working Louise Quinn out and then there is trying to deal with her. Two entirely different things'
Georgia 0-6 Republic of Ireland
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Watch - https://t.co/CfnEhdAQdE
Radio - https://t.co/JDLto3wUVJ pic.twitter.com/OIvd4xaRTk— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 27, 2022
A brilliant performance at both ends of the pitch.
Diane Caldwell - 7
Like her defensive partners, Caldwell had no defending to do in the opening half. She tended to hold a deeper position as her teammates went forward and did well at the back on the few occasions she was called upon.
Heather Payne - 7
Lacked a little bit of quality on the ball at times when getting into dangerous positions but worked very hard. Her attacking opportunities were limited somewhat by so much of the Irish play coming down the opposite flank.
Replaced on the hour mark.
Katie McCabe - 10
Terrorised Georgia from the first whistle, scoring an absolute cracker from the edge of the box in the sixth minute. Her deliveries from set-pieces were absolutely spot on all evening, leading to two goals inside the opening 20 minutes.
McCabe's second just before the interval was a fine looping effort, although it was perhaps a tad fortunate after she slipped while in the middle of the shooting action.
She would have her hat-trick in the 74th minute, finishing off a beautiful cross from Megan Connolly. It was yet another brilliant performance from Ireland's captain fantastic.
It's a hat-trick for Katie McCabe in Georgia! Baller ⚽️⚽️⚽️pic.twitter.com/TunPsCpKvD
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 27, 2022
Ruesha Littlejohn - 7
Attempted to break down the deep-lying Georgia defence with some long range passes. Ireland perhaps would have hoped for a bit more in terms of running at the defence from Littlejohn, but it was a good performance.
Megan Connolly - 10
Dictated the play in midfield, being offered plenty of space by the opposition to do so as they got numbers behind the ball. Added Ireland's third goal of the game, turning home from close range after yet another exemplary McCabe delivery.
Her set-pieces deliveries was excellent throughout, getting a brilliant assist for Ireland's fifth goal after picking out Louise Quinn at the far post. A stunning performance, being named player of the match by RTÉ.
Jessica Ziu - 8
Attempted to exploit any space that was available in the final third, looking very dangerous whenever she got on the ball. Ziu was a menace throughout, looking like one of Ireland's most creative players from central positions.
An excellent showing.
Denise O'Sullivan - 8
Started off very brightly, attempting to run at the Georgian defence whenever she got on the ball. Showed great vision to get the assist fo Katie McCabe's opener early on.
The way in which O'Sullivan manipulated what space was available to her was incredibly impressive, being rewarded with her goal in injury time, Ireland's ninth of the night.
Amber Barrett - 7
Wasn't offered much space to run in behind, although Barrett's worked hard to find some space in the Georgian box. Perhaps would have liked to contribute more on the occasions that the ball was crossed into the penalty area.
Replaced by Abbie Larkin.
Substitutes
Lucy Quinn - 7
Offered plenty of running power after coming on down the right flank, showing a good delivery at times.
Abbie Larkin - 8
The 17-year old looked very lively after coming on, showing a keen eye for goal by finding the back of the net with an excellent finish in the final ten minutes.
Lily Agg - 7
Making her competitive debut off the bench, Agg thought she had scored only a couple of minutes after coming on only to have the goal ruled out for a handball. Looked lively after her introduction.
SEE ALSO: Here Are 7 Irish Players That Need A Transfer This Summer
