Nigeria in a tricky situation as Ireland crash out of FIFA Women's World Cup

Advantage Nigeria as Ireland crash out

Nigeria in a tricky situation as Ireland crash out of FIFA Women's World Cup

Stephen Oladehinde 15:52 - 26.07.2023

Ireland stumbled to their second defeat in the Women’s World Cup against Canada and failed to make it to the next round despite having one game left to play.

The Irish Women lost their opening game against Australia and were looking to get a win against Canada but failed to secure a win.

McCabe’s wonder goal in the fourth minute of the game was not enough to give Ireland the win as Canada came back to secure a 2-1 win.

Ireland opened the scoring through a direct corner kick in the early minute of the first half but the Canadian rallied back with an own goal from Megan Connolly in the first half injury time and another in the early minutes of the second half from Adriana Leon.

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As it happened 

Ireland women's manager, Vera Pauw, made two changes to the team that lost the opening game against Australia.

Canada manager Beverly Priestman on the other hand also made two changes to the side that drew with the Super Falcons in their first game.

Ireland took the lead early on in the first half from a corner kick. Katie McCabe gave the Irish side the lead in the fourth minute of kickoff after whipping the ball which flew above the gloves of the goalkeeper into the far top corner.

Canada vs Ireland Women's World Cup
Canada vs Ireland Women's World Cup

Canada created several chances to get back into the game but were not able to convert them into goals.

However, in the first half of injury time, they got the equaliser and put themselves back in the game. Canada swung in a cross from the left wing and Megan Connolly got the final touch, sending it past her own keeper into the far bottom corner.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1684202496531595265?s=20

A few minutes into the second half, Canada took the lead putting Ireland on the brink of elimination.

In the 53rd minute, Sophie Schmidt plays a good ball into the box, Adriana Leon nudges it past Katie McCabe and then pokes her shot into the back of the net.

Ireland tried to get back into the game but could not create any chance and get the equaliser as the referee blew the final whistle.

The result means Ireland women are out of the Women’s World Cup and are left with one game to play.

How Ireland's result affects the Super Falcons

The Super Falcons will have an eye on Ireland's result, but how does this result affect Nigeria?

As it stands, Nigeria has only one point from their game against Canada and will need to get a win against Australia to be in a position to qualify from Group B.

The tricky part of all this is that if the Super Falcons fail to win against Australia, they will need to put all their effort into defeating Ireland in the last game of their group and hope results go in their favour when Canada take on the Maltidas. 

Although Ireland have nothing to lose if they win or lose the game. They will also want to put up a fight against Nigeria and earn a point or three points before finally leaving the tournament.

The Super Falcons will need to do the needful against Australia and earn all three points to avoid putting pressure on themselves in the last group stage game.