Australia defeated Ireland by minimum 1-0 at their first match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The only goal for the co-hosts scored Stephanie Catley with a beautiful strike on a penalty kick. Ireland had a few chances late in the second half but were unable to find the net.
Australia overplayed their opponents having 63% ball possession and 13 goal attempts against only 9 for their opponents. Stephanie Catley was the Australia’s stand-in captain, wearing the armband in place of the injured Samantha Kerr, who will miss the next match as well.
Hayley Raso from Australia had first the chance to open the score already in the 27th minute, but missed the target after head shooting. In the 49th minute the referee gave a penalty for Australia, which Stephanie Catley scored with a strong shot. Australia took a lead by 1-0.
In the very last minute of the match, Katie McCabe shot from foul, which was very close to the target, but went off the post. In the extra time, Abbie Larkin received long ball in the right of the penalty and passed in the center, where again Katie McCabe had a chance to shot, but the Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold saved.
Thus, Australia won the three points and headed the Group B, where are also Nigeria and Canada.
Stephanie Catley was the most valuable player of the match, but Alanna Kennedy, Katrina-Lee Gorry, and the goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold also performed strong for the winners.
For Ireland the winner Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn.
