Australia vs Republic of Ireland 1-0 – as it happened

Despite a plucky performance from the visitors, and the loss of talis-woman Sam Kerr, Australia were able to pull through to start off their 2023 World Cup campaign on the right note with a 1-0 victory.

Ireland were cool and collected in defence, but an ill-timed challenge by Marissa Sheva inside of the box proved to be the difference.

The women in green can hold their heads high for now, but will face stiff opposition as they next face a strong Canadian side on July 26, before completing their group encounters against Nigera on July 31.

Australia, on the other hand, will fancy their chances against the Super Falcons before hoping that Kerr will be fit enough in time of their final group match against Canada.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage, and before you head off do make sure to check out our detailed match report.

We look forward to you joining us again soon!

Mood. https://t.co/Gs8jNKETE4 pic.twitter.com/97Vp1Ix2d1

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 20, 2023

Ireland coach, Vera Pauw, summed up her post-match views: “Very disappointing [regarding the result]. At half-time, we said this would be a game decided by one mistake.

“We brought on Abbie [Larkin] and Lucy [Quinn] to get more pressure forward with fresh legs. You do need to have a little bit of luck, too.

“Sam Kerr is one of the major top strikers of the world. Her not playing is, of course, an advantage, but they have such a powerful team. We did so well and they didn’t create a lot of chances.

“A draw would have been a reasonable result. I think everyone is proud that we have shown we are one of the top nations and we can only grow from this.”

It wasn’t to be but a performance which shows we’re right in this @FIFAWWC and plenty for us to build on for the next group game against Canada 💚

Great support in Australia, Ireland and all over the world 🇮🇪#COYGIG | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/lZuOQQI4Jr

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 20, 2023

Australian captain Catley, who scored the winning penalty, shared her thoughts: “It is hard to put into words. It has been such a big lead up. We had a lot of excitement coming into this game. It was a little sloppy and overzealous [from us], but in the end we got the result.

“I have been practicing a lot [in regards to the penalty] and I was confident about taking it.

“She [Sam Kerr] is our spiritual leader and one of the best players, if not the best player, in the world. We want to do it for her and she has been with us every step of the way.

“They [Ireland] are an extremely difficult team to play against. They have amazing players and are very well organized. It was a tough game but we are glad to have pulled it off.”

A first-ever #FIFAWWC goal? Scored on home soil. YOU BEAUTY 🙌#Matildas pic.twitter.com/8ub3fjovkk

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 20, 2023

Gutted 🙁

An incredible effort from the girls in green who deserved at least a point in their opening match 💪

The country is proud of you 💚#COYGIG | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/vJ1Ivw4c2H

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 20, 2023

FT | We kick off our #FIFAWWC campaign with a 1-0 victory on home soil!

Next up: 🇦🇺 v 🇳🇬 – 27.7.23 (8pm AEST) #Matildas pic.twitter.com/cpHwLhmEHU

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 20, 2023

With that almost-goal, the referee soon blows the whistle to bring Stadium Australia to their feet.

After failing to win the opening match of their previous three tournaments, Australia have managed to right that record at home against a spirited Ireland side that threatened at various intervals.

Full-time: Australia 1-0 Ireland

A defensive lapse allows Larkin ample amounts of space as she jets in from the right side.

She picks out Quinn inside of the box, and despite the Australian defenders collapsing on her, she is able to get out a shot, but can’t beat Arnold’s defence.

What an opportunity that would have been to level the score.

90+7 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

It is an all-out attack from Ireland now as they search for a desperate equaliser with time winding down.

Despite seven attempts on goal, they have failed to get a singular shot on target.

90+4 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

Quinn is taken down from behind by Hunt as she looked to receive an aerial ball.

The attempt is from outside of the box, just left of centre. Connolly is the one who takes it, and just gets it over the crossbar as Arnold was able to get her fingertips on it to send it to the left-side corner.

McCabe takes the corner, with the ball arching in dangerously towards the far post, but Arnold was alert enough to send it away and give Ireland another corner on the right side.

McCabe takes it again, but nothing of substance comes off the attempt.

With all that transpiring, we will have an additional six minutes of stoppage time.

90+3 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

The attempt is taken from down the middle about 35 yards out, however nothing materialises from it.

Meanwhile, Isibeal Atkinson comes on for Carusa.

88 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

Fowler makes her way off as Clare Polkinghorne rushes onto the field.

85 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

Van Egmond makes a run on the right side. She spots an available Gorry, but she sends her shot into the Irish defence.

Another run is manufactured by Van Egmond, this time picking out Foord.

The striker makes a turn and fires at the net, but is blocked by her marker.

The Matildas are still sending in numbers up front to try and create some separation.

83 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

Ireland win yet another corner, this time on the right, as Australian goalkeeper Arnold rises to the occasion to get her gloves on the ball.

In the process, she seems to have done herself in somewhat, as she may have landed on a player’s boot while coming down.

She gets looked at momentarily as the players sneak in another drinks break.

80 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

Ireland are sending in wave after wave.

There is some calamity regarding a possible handball by Australia inside the box, and despite a few nervy challenges, the ball is sent downfield.

Also looks like a new record has been set for a women’s football match in Australia with 75,000-plus in attendance at Stadium Australia.

78 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

There has been a significant shift in intentions from the women in green.

They win a corner on the left side which is parried away by the goalkeeper before finding another Irish player.

Unfortunately, nothing comes off it, but the positivity is a welcome sight for fans watching back home.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Vine is subbed off in favour of Emily van Egmond.

75 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

It’s taken by their captain, McCabe, on the left side.

She sends in a testing curling strike as Arnold is just able to get her mitts on the ball despite a lurking Carusa.

72 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

Catley provides a lovely ball in from the right corner.

Foord is able to get a head on it as she tries to glance the ball into the corner of the far post, but just misses.

69 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

Australia are not relenting as they eagerly look to build on their advantage.

Ireland continue to shield as best as they can.

If they are to come out of this tough group, they will need to get back to being positive on the ball.

68 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

It appears we will have our first substitutions of the match as Ireland’s Farrelly and Sheva come off in favour of Abbie Larkin and Lucy Quinn.

Good time considering the current state of affairs.

64 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland

With the unexpected penalty, Ireland need to steady themselves if they are to stay in this contest.

Australia will have their tails up as they look for a cushion to put away their opponents.

60 mins: Australia 1-0 Ireland