FIFA Women’s World Cup: Lucky break for Super Falcons as Ireland faces early World Cup exit

Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland will square off in the final group-stage match of this year’s Women’s World Cup in Brisbane

The Republic of Ireland are the first country to crash out of Group B in the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, after they lose their first two games to Australia and Canada, respectively, Soccernet.ng reports.

Having lost their first Group B match to Australia with a score of one goal to nil, the FIFA Women’s World Cup debutant needed at least a draw to avoid early elimination from this year’s World Cup.

Their defeat against the Canadian Women’s National Team, on the other hand, has given the Super Falcons of Nigeria a significant edge to exploit when they meet in their final game.

Canada, who settled for a draw against Nigeria in their first game, inflicted the second defeat of the tournament on the Europeans.

The CONCACAF nation took a big step towards securing a place in the competition’s knockout stages by coming from behind to beat Vera Pauw’s troops with a score of two goals to one in their second Group B game on Wednesday.

That defeat means Ireland crashed out from the group stage on their World Cup debut with one game left to play.

Irish captain Katie Mccabe scored Republic of Ireland’s first World Cup goal just four minutes into the game, but Canada fought back from Megan Conolly’s costly error, before Adriana Leon gave them the lead eight minutes into the second half.

On Thursday, the other Group B game will see co-hosts Australia take on the Super Falcons of Nigeria in Brisbane.

Ireland will still have to honour their final group-stage match against Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday before leaving the World Cup, while Canada will take on Australia in their next match.