Canada 2-1 Republic of Ireland: Connolly scores OWN goal as Leon nets winner

Canada came from behind to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1, ending the Irish World Cup hopes in a Group B battle Wednesday.

Match Report

Arsenal star Katie McCabe had given the Irish belief of making it out of the group at the Republic of Ireland's first World Cup after she put them ahead with a stunning early opener but it ultimately ended in heartbreak.

McCabe put Ireland in the lead with the team's first-ever World Cup goal after only four minutes when she curled in a sensational ball direct from a corner.

The early opener eased the pressure off the Irish but Canada withstood Ireland's dominant spell before equalizing at the death of the first half, courtesy of Megan Connolly's own goal.

The Maple Leafs carried their momentum over from the end of the first half into the second as Adriana Leon put them ahead for the first time.

Line-ups

Canada XI: A. Leon, A. Lawrence, K. Buchanan, K. Sheridan, R. Quinn, J. Fleming, J. Huitema, J. Grosso, J. Riviere, V. Gilles, E. Viens

Subs: C. Sinclair, S. Schmidt, S. Zadorsky, S. D’Angelo, A. Chapman, N. Prince, G. Carle, D. Rose, L. Proulx, O. Smith, C. Lacasse, Simi Awujo

Republic of Ireland XI: L. Quinn, N. Fahey, K. McCabe, D. O'Sullivan, A. O'Gorman, M. Connolly, R. Littlejohn, S. Farrelly, L. Quinn, C. Brosnan, K. Carusa

Subs: D. Caldwell, I. Atkinson, A. Barrett, C. O'Riordan, G. Moloney, M. Walsh, L. Agg, C. Mustaki, Ciara Grant, A. Larkin, Marissa Sheva