LAST UPDATE | 31 Jul 2023
Ireland 0
Nigeria 0
A BITTERSWEET ENDING for Ireland at their maiden World Cup.
Vera Pauw’s side bow out from their first-ever major tournament after a scoreless draw with Nigeria — and with an historic point, though perhaps a win eluded them.
This was a game of two halves, of sorts, played in front of 24,884 fans in Brisbane. Nigeria advance from Group B, along with Australia who beat Canada 4-0 in Melbourne tonight.
The Girls In Green produced another gutsy performance after narrow defeats to Australia (0-1) and Canada (1-2). Courtney Brosnan’s sensational second-half save was one of the highlights of an entertaining contest, Ireland playing particularly positively in the first half.
Courtney Brosnan makes a stunning save to keep the Republic of Ireland level #wwc2023 #coygig
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The build-up was dominated by talk surrounding Pauw’s future. “I don’t feel this is my last game,” she defiantly told her post-match press conference.
The Dutch coach opted for two changes to the Ireland XI: Heather Payne recovered from a hamstring setback to start, while Lily Agg was deployed as a sitter in midfield.
This allowed Denise O’Sullivan to play further forward and she shone, with Katie McCabe and Sinéad Farrelly linking up brilliantly down the left. Ruesha Littlejohn worked in close quarters with them too, putting in another huge individual performance.
Nigeria’s one switch saw Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala come into the team, having returned to full fitness. The Super Falcons are flying high, having stunned Australia and drawn with Canada. Randy Waldrum’s side are ranked 40th in Fifa’s world rankings, 18 places below Ireland, though that appears to be an unfair reflection.
While the upper tier was closed in Brisbane Stadium (the capacity is 52,000), the fans — the vast majority of them Irish — made their voices heard, with no shortage of Olé-ing throughout.
Brosnan claimed everything sent her way, though both sides played with fire at the back at times. Oshoala threatened early on, while Toni Payne and McCabe exchanged efforts at either end. A (Heather) Payne cross eventually fell to the captain, but her shot whisked agonisingly wide, with Megan Connolly’s corners and free-kicks threatening.
There were unforced errors, though, with both teams struggling to retain possession at times. Oshoala fired a warning shot in the 15th minute: Nigeria pounced when Louise Quinn gave the ball away and the Barca striker flashed across the face of goal.
Ireland grew into the game and dictated matters, the Super Falcons inviting pressure on as they sat in. McCabe and co capitalised with some nice moves and moments, but ultimately to no avail.
Kyra Carusa showed well up top, her first chance a header gathered by Chiamaka Nnadozie after McCabe’s cross. The Nigeria ‘keeper flapped at another one, but O’Sullivan’s touch ultimately let her down with Ireland in an advanced position.
After the rare sight of no injury time at the midpoint, momentum swung Nigeria’s way on the restart. They raised the intensity and shut Ireland off down the left, playing on the front foot for much of the second half rather than relying on their deadly counter attacks.
Brosnan produced a sensational save in the 52nd minute, denying an Uchannu Kanu header with the help of the bar after Payne’s cross.
Osohala flashed across goal once again shortly after, as the much-improved Super Falcons pulled Ireland apart. But they responded well, O’Sullivan having a shot denied by Ashleigh Plumptre after good work from Carusa.
Ireland were under the cosh: the impressive Niamh Fahey and Agg stepped up with last ditch blocks, while McCabe saw yellow for a lazy challenge on the electric Payne. The Arsenal star urged Pauw “freshen it up,” the manager hesitant to turn to her bench.
A few moments later, she stood over a corner in an identical position to the one she scored against Canada. The Irish cheers rose, but her inswinger nestled on the roof of the net.
Pauw turned to Abbie Larkin and Marissa Sheva in the 83rd minute, while Diane Caldwell entered the fray in the dying moments.
Nnadozie went down for treatment after a goalmouth scramble as Ireland pushed for a winner. Carusa’s appeal for a late free-kick was turned down, with Brosnan producing another comfortable save late on to keep Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot out after Littlejohn momentarily stopped Gift Monday’s weaving run.
A bittersweet ending, but a game which could have went either way.
IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Heather Payne (Marissa Sheva 83), Niamh Fahey (Diane Caldwell 95), Louise Quinn, Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe; Lily Agg (Abbie Larkin 83), Denise O’Sullivan, Sinead Farrelly, Lily Agg; Krya Carusa.
NIGERIA: Chamaka Nnadozie; Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin (Ebi Onome 84), Ashleigh Plumptre; Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde; Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Uchenna Kanu (Gift Monday 67); Asisat Oshoala (Ifeoma Onumonu 67).
Referee: Karen Diaz Medina (Mexico).