Canada vs Ireland women player ratings: brave Ireland eliminated by the Canuks

UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org  | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly

In a thrilling clash one of the pre-tournament favourites Canada avoided a major upset and found a way to come from behind and edge Ireland 2-1. The Canuks fell behind very early on but an own goal at the end of the opening period and a vastly improved second-half display saw them completing the turnaround and with this eliminating the Greens from the tournament.

• McCabe’s early free-kick gave Ireland a shocking lead.
• After surviving a few further scares Canada equalised just before halftime via an own goal.
  
• Much better second-half display and Long’s goal midway through the period was enough for Canada to triumph.
  

Canada women Player Ratings: Huitema-inspired comeback brings joy to the Canuks

Christine Sinclair is not in the starting XI for Canada vs Ireland 🇨🇦

It’s the first time in Sinclair’s six consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cups that she will not start for Canada! pic.twitter.com/663uOhPLmL

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 26, 2023

GK Kailen Sheridan 7/10 – Beaten early from a free-kick but apart from that. Made a vital save to prevent Canada from falling 0-2 down and just that was crucial for what followed.

DF Kadeisha Buchanan 6/10 – Struggled in the air all match. Lots of the Irish chances came because of her errors.

DF Jayde Riviere 7/10 – Defended well but also became very lively in the second half in attack. Her forward forays and crosses created 3 big chances for the Canuks after the break.

DF Ashley Lawrence 7/10 – Did well to intercept multiple dangerous crosses. Showed bravery too when blocking 3 heavy shots.

DF Vanessa Gilles 7/10 – Protected her zone well all match. Got braver as the game progressed and in the second half nearly produced assists on 2 occasions with her clinical through balls.

MF Quinn 7/10 – Recovered well after a shaky opening 20 minutes. For the rest of the match was a crucial helper defensively and a very good ball distributor too.

MF Julia Grosso 6/10 – Showed selfishness. Kept running into traffic when there were better options around her. Tired quickly too.

MF Jessie Fleming 8/10 – Dominant displays and some very good one-touch passes and smart flick-ons from her created 4 big chances for her teammates.

FW Adriana Leon 7/10 – Leon was a threat all match and she scored the winner too. Dominated her flank all second half but early on wasn’t helping defensively and this caused problems.

FW Jordyn Huitema 8/10 – She was an endless threat. Her pushiness forced the own goal and her great movement in the box created the opening for the second. Deserved to score herself. 

FW Evelyne Viens 6/10 – Didn’t do enough when on the ball. Also, showed awful shooting accuracy and lack of pace when decent through balls were targeting her.

Substitutes 

DF Shelina Zadorsky 6/10 – Brought some energy off the bench. Made 2 bad errors that lucky her teammates covered.

MF Christine Sinclair 7/10 – Canada’s legendary veteran inspired the comeback once introduced. She was very assertive and dominated once unleashed on the pitch.

MF Sophie Schmidt 7/10 – Also brought a spark off the bench and produced the assist for the vital winning goal.

FW Cloe Lacasse 6/10 – Had spaces to exploit late on but kept running offisde. Held the ball well though and should have scored with at least 1 of the 2 big chances that came her way.

Ireland women Player Ratings: No leprechaun magic despite McCabe’s early goal

GK Courtney Brosnan 7/10 – Not tested too much in the first half. Not at fault for either goal that was conceded. Made some crucial saves after the break to keep the Irish hopes alive.

DF Niamh Fahey 7/10 – Defended the right flank well. Had some crucial interceptions.

DF Megan Connolly 5/10 – Unconvincing all match. The culmination was the sloppy own goal that gave Canada the equaliser and shifted the balance of power.

DF Louise Quinn 6/10 – Solid first half was followed by insecure second-half display. Her passing wasn’t good either.

MF Ruesha Littlejohn 5/10 – Started aggressively. However, got tired quickly. Also, offered sloppy passing all match.

MF Dennis O’Sullivan 6/10 – Used in a much deeper role. Didn’t suit her. Helped very little in attack. Used her physicality to disturb the Canadians but offensively was not helpful.

MF Katie McCabe 8/10 – Captain McCabe scored her first World Cup goal early. Played very well all match. Dominated in the heart of the midfield.

MF Aine O’Gorman 6/10 – Late replacement in the side due to an injury to Payne in the warm-up. Looked nervous for most of the game. Didn’t do too bad but didn’t contribute much either.

FW Lucy Quinn 6/10 – Took good care of the ball. Used as a link-up player a lot and she did well early on. Got lost between the lines quickly though and was replaced at halftime.

FW Sinead Farrelly 7/10 – Started brightly and could have easily doubled Ireland’s lead early. Got tired quickly though. Didn’t do much past the half-hour mark.

FW Kyra Carusa 8/10 – Played well and caused lots of problems. Her aggression, hold-up play, dangerous shots and good pressing impressed. Unlucky not to score.

Substitutes 

MF Abbie Larkin 7/10 – Came on at halftime and created Ireland’s 2 best scoring chances after the interval. Played well and certainly had a positive impact.

FW Marissa Sheva 5/10 – Failed to impact the forward actions once introduced.

FW Amber Barrett 6/10 – Helped to liven up the attacks late on but never had a clear chance coming her way.

MF Lilly Agg 5/10 – Looked nervous. Committed lots of sloppy errors with her passing.

MF Isabel Atkinson 6/10 – Worked well defensively. Going forward her impact was non-existent though.

Player of the Match: Jordyn Huitema

Canada’s main centre forward Huitema led the line well. Her activity inside the box created both goals. She was a constant thorn for the Irish and it was a small miracle that she failed to score herself. Still, she was the most dominant player on the pitch and led her team to victory, so that’s why she is our Player of the Match.

After the final whistle, it was tears and desperation for the Ireland women as the result meant they won’t be progressing through to the knockouts.

---

Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!