Congratulations to Nigeria for qualification, and congratulations to Republic of Ireland for their maiden World Cup campaign. There were lots of good moments in those three games, and things could easily have been different.
That’s all from me, thank you for reading. Bye!
Here's Sophie Downey's match report from Brisbane
They were very loud, tbf.
With us to the very end 🤗
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 31, 2023
Thank you for your incredible support at the Brisbane Stadium 🙏#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/6hg4koZZB5
Full-time in the Canada 0-4 Australia match.
This is your final Group B table. Congratulations to Australia and Nigeria!
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | Canada | 3 | -3 | 4 |
| 4 | Rep of Ireland | 3 | -2 | 1 |
The Canada v Australia game is still going on, and the hosts have now got four! You can catch the last few minutes with Jonathan Howcroft here.
“Why Nigeria were so content with a draw here is beyond my imagination,” emails Beau Dure.
Yeah, a real shame they didn’t go for it. Nigeria will almost certainly play England in the last 16.
Full-time: Republic of Ireland 0-0 Nigeria
A first World Cup point (and clean sheet) for Ireland. Certain qualification for Nigeria, who finish Group B in second place behind hosts Australia.
Updated
90+7 min: A great run from Monday and Ajibade’s shot is saved by Brosnan.
90+6 min: Fahey, on her 111th cap, comes off. At 35, the Liverpool defender is unlikely to play again at a World Cup, but she comes on to a brilliant reception from the Irish fans, who are in excellent voice. Diane Caldwell makes a late World Cup debut.
90+4 min: Ebi goes in hard but fair on Carusa. The crowd don’t like that one, but we play on.
90+2 min: Ireland pressing for a winner. The crowd rises as McCabe picks up the ball 25 yards out, but Nigeria close down the angle.
90 min: Seven minutes added on here. We’ve had a few injuries.
88 min: It’s been a disappointing end to the game for Nigeria, who seem to have settled for second place. I think their substitutions told the story there.
Still, Nigeria would have surely taken second place at the start of this tournament. This has been such a tough group.
86 min: Both sides make changes: Ireland’s Larkin and Sheva come on for Payne and Agg, while 40-year-old Ebi comes on for Demehin.
From an Irish perspective, I think those changes are 15-20 mins too late. Alas.
85 min: It looks like the Nigeria keeper has actually come off the worse, with Nnadozie clutching her shoulder, with tears in her eyes. She looks in pain, but it looks like she is going to try and continue. Carusa, meanwhile, is back to her feet.
83 min: McCabe swings in a deep cross, and there’s a nasty collision at the back post between Carusa and Nnadozie. The Nigeria keeper did well to punch the ball away but caught the Irish striker with her follow through.
Updated
81 min: An absolutely brilliant run and cross from Nigeria’s Alozie, but nobody is there at the back post to tap in for the African side.
78 min: Ireland could do with some fresh legs, but Vera Pauw is yet to make any changes. Their lack of pace up front has made their attacking in the second half very one-dimensional.
76 min: Corner to Ireland, the first time they have ventured into Nigeria territory for a while. McCabe sends in one of her inswingers – it looks like she is trying again to score! – but the ball just lands on the top of the net. Nnadozie certainly looked uncomfortable under it.
73 min: Nigeria would be foolish not to go for the win now. Any goal here and they top the group, while they would have to concede four times to drop out of second place. Attack!
70 min: Desperate defending from Ireland, with the ball pinballing around the box after a corner. Ucheibe takes aim from the edge of the box, but Littlejohn gets in the way.
68 min: More good goalkeeping from Brosnan, who dives bravely at the feet of Ajibade after a neat touch from the substitute Onumonu.
Here’s that save from earlier. Apologies if you can’t view it where you are.
WHAT. A. SAVE 🧤
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 31, 2023
Courtney Brosnan keeping #IRL in the game.#FifaWWC #IRL v #NGA pic.twitter.com/hQMBvAtV4V
Updated
66 min: Nigeria make two changes, and take two of their best players off the pitch. Oshoala and Kanu are withdrawn for Monday and Onumonu.
63 min: Mary Fowler, back in the Australia XI today, makes it 3-0 in the other. That’s surely an early exit for the Canadians, who need at least a draw to have any hope of qualifying.
That gives Nigeria some breathing room. Even if they concede to Ireland, they will still finish in second. Even a score of 3-0 to Ireland would still be enough for the African side to qualify.
Updated
60 min: Chance for Ireland, with O’Sullivan finding some room in the Nigeria box, but her shot is blocked and Nnadozie is there to mop up the loose ball.
57 min: McCabe is looking a little leggy. No Irish player has run more metres at this World Cup, and she doesn’t seem to have the pace to hurt Nigeria on the flanks. I wonder if she might move inside to a 10 position, maybe the Arsenal star would do more damage.
55 min: It’s all Nigeria at the moment. Alozie has been bright this second half down the right. Her combinations with Ajibade and Payne are dangerous.
52 min: Oshoala finds some space in the box, but drags her shot a couple of yards wide. She hasn’t quite got her shooting boots on today.
51 min: OH. MY. WORD. What a save. WHAT A SAVE. How are Nigeria not ahead?! Payne shows great feet on the left, whips a cross into the box and Kanu heads down on the six-yard line. It’s a powerful header, and bounces awkwardly in front of Brosnan, who somehow contorts her body, tips the ball onto the underside of the bar and out! An absolutely flabbergasting save, shades of Banks v Brazil in that. It, somehow, remains 0-0.
Updated
47 min: Intensity from Nigeria has definitely gone up. I suspect they have seen the Australia score and are now going to push for the win.
Peeeeeeeep! And we’re off again in Brisbane.
Half-time reading:
Half-time: Republic of Ireland 0-0 Nigeria
No additional time at all! Ireland have had most of the ball, but Oshoala had comfortably the best chance of the half.
42 min: This half is rather fizzling out. Ireland have been sloppy the last five minutes. Plumptre, born in Leicester but with a Nigerian grandfather, wins a corner for the African side, but Brosnan punches the ball away and Payne is not able to get her shot on target.
40 min: Australia now do have a second goal against Canada! Raso got it, and that gives the hosts a crucial cushion. Maybe they won’t have to call on Kerr at all?! The Chelsea striker didn’t take part in the warm-up so perhaps she is not fit after all.
36 min: Chance for Carusa! McCabe floats a ball to the back post where Quinn is waiting. The central defender nods it back across goal with ease, but Carusa can’t control the ball and rather clumsily heads it at goal. Nnadozie collects.
Updated
34 min: Australia have the ball in the net against Canada but the goal is chalked off for offisde. It remains 1-0 to Australia – remember a win for the hosts means Nigeria are going to have to win this game if they want to finish top of the group.
30 min: Oshoala getting a little frustrated. Nigeria are not getting any decent service to their striker. Ajibade has made a couple of useful darts down the right, but the crossing has so far been poor.
28 min: Carusa lacks pace but she’s been a good pivot for Ireland to work off in attack. She does need runners beyond her to threaten Nigeria in behind. Payne and Farrelly could be a little higher.
26 min: The best player on the park today is O’Sullivan, who releases Payne with a wonderful reverse ball. Payne’s cross is just too strong for Farrelly at the back post, but that’s a lot better from Ireland.
Updated
24 min: McCabe is definitely playing in a free role. Loosely based on the left wing, she is beginning to pop up all over the pitch, trying to create overloads.
22 min: Chance for Ireland! Lovely link up in midfield as McCabe’s flick releases O’Sullivan, who strides through midfield and releases Carusa. The striker is forced a little wide but has a clear shot at goal, but chooses instead to cut the ball back into traffic! A poor decision, and Nigeria are able to get numbers back to clear.
20 min: McCabe wins a free kick right on the left touchline. Another set piece, which Nnadozie comes for. Again, it’s not convincing but the Nigeria keeper gathers the cross at the second attempt, with Agg unlucky not to pounce.
18 min: Quinn passes the ball straight out of play for a Nigeria throw in. She needs to give her head a wobble.
16 min: Ireland are pressing Nigeria well, but seem to have lost their composure somewhat.
13 min: What a let off for Ireland! Nigeria should be ahead. We were talking about how Louise Quinn had a 100% passing completion in the last game. Well, she gives it away and suddenly Oshoala is through on goal. The Barcelona striker takes a good touch and shoots on her favoured right foot, but the shot squeezes wide of the far post! Oooooooh, Oshoala should score. It remains 0-0!
Updated
11 min: There’s been a goal in the other game in this group: Canada v Australia, and it’s the host nation who have taken the lead through Hayley Rasso. That means Australia now lead the group, with Nigeria in second place.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | Canada | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Rep of Ireland | 3 | -2 | 1 |
9 min: Corner to Ireland. McCabe hands the ball to Connolly, as they want a right-footer to take an inswinger. It’s a good ball to the back post, and Nnadozie punches clear. But only to about the penalty spot. There’s a brief scramble and Nigeria hack it away.
7 min: Both teams finding their feet, although Nigeria seem happy for Ireland to have the ball and try to hit them on the counter-attack.
5 min: Huge chance for McCabe! Good work from Agg down the right, the cross comes into Farrelly, who lays off for her captain but McCabe drags her shot wide from the edge of the box! That’s probably the best chance she’s had all tournament, but the ball flew a yard wide of the post. Nnadozie was rooted to the spot!
Updated
4 min: Payne has also had an excellent tournament for Nigeria in that 10 role. She skips around O’Sullivan and pops a lovely ball to the back post, but it’s just beyond Oshoala’s run. Very dangerous.
2 min: Uchenna Kanu is a real threat off the left flank for Nigeria – she scored the opener against Australia. Fahey will have her work cut out, particularly as Ireland have lined up in a back three. There’s space for Kanu to exploit if Ireland switch off.
Peeeeeeeep! And we’re off.
The teams come out! I hope Nigeria – who need just a draw – will be going for the win here today, which would mean they would (probably) avoid facing England in the knockout stage.
It’s not a sellout in Brisbane, with the Suncorp capacity in excess of 50,000, but there is sizeable support for both teams in the stands.
Ireland will play in their changed white strip, while Nigeria are in all-black.
Nigeria arrived at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in typical boisterous spirit, singing and dancing their way to the dressing room.
We’re about five minutes away from kick-off here.
McCabe leads the Ireland team today, but don’t sleep on the influence of Louise Quinn at the heart of Ireland’s defence. She completed 100% of her passes against Canada, made 100% of her line breaks. Only Niamh Fahey made more than Quinn’s eight clearances against Canada and only Kyra Carusa won more aerial duels. She is a complete player, and has a black eye to top everything off, which she picked up in the opening game against Australia.
“I actually quite like it. I didn’t mind it at all, I think it looked quite good, actually. We have put in some very good performances over the past two games but there are no points on the board,” Quinn added.
“We want to be able to look back and know we have given it our all. There has been no doubts about that.
“Everyone has done everything to make sure we can get something out of those games. It’s total pride and we’re going to give it everything.”
Updated
Elsewhere, there was a first ever World Cup win for Zambia, against Costa Rica, which included the quickest goal of this year’s tournament so far.
If you are in any doubt over the permutations for Nigeria, Canada and Australia, please see below (via Fifa).
“Nigeria will qualify for the next phase with a win or a draw against Republic of Ireland. They can lose and go through if Canada defeat Australia, otherwise tie-breakers come into play. Canada are through with a win or a draw against Australia. If they lose and Nigeria are also beaten, then tie-breakers will be required to separate the two. Australia must win against Canada to be certain of reaching the Round of 16. Their only other potential route would be a draw coupled with a defeat for Nigeria, which would bring in tie-breakers.”
Here’s that group again:
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | Canada | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Australia | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Rep of Ireland | 2 | -2 | 0 |
There has also been plenty of WWC action today. Japan have thrashed Spain 4-0, despite having just 23% possession.
1 - The lowest share of possession for a winning side at the FIFA Women's (since 2011) and Men's (since 1966) World Cup on record:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 31, 2023
23% - Japan 4-0 Spain (2023 Women's WC)
18% - Japan 2-1 Spain (2022 Men's WC)
Strategy. pic.twitter.com/gBVWQ40WeX
A huge result that sees the Asian side top the group, winning all three of their games, scoring 11 times and conceding zero. Japan face Norway in the knockouts, Spain will face Switzerland. A lucky break for the Spaniards, in my opinion.
The other game in this group, Australia v Canada, is also a cracker. Sam Kerr is on the bench for the Matildas, after her recovery from injury. You can follow that game live with Jonathan Howcroft.
Team news
STARTING XI | Ireland v Nigeria
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 31, 2023
Our team to take on Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium ☘️
Let’s give this our all 💪#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/7NTDj6aaKN
OFFICIAL: TEAM NEWS 🗞️
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 31, 2023
📄Here's 🇳🇬our starting XI vs #Ireland in Brisbane #SoarSuperFalcons #FIFAWWC #IRENGA pic.twitter.com/COUN7rTkgz
The star of this Irish team is unmistakably captain Katie McCabe. She is the heartbeat of this side – nobody ran more than the 11,329 metres she covered against Canada, a game in which she also scored Republic of Ireland’s first ever World Cup goal (straight from a corner).
That was some goal from Katie McCabe #WorldCup #WorldCup2023 #Canada #Ireland #Football #Goals pic.twitter.com/p3k4noCUIX
— What a Goal (@Footiegoals55) July 26, 2023
McCabe has definitely got a worldie or two in her locker, having won this season’s WSL goal of the season award for her rocket against Manchester City. A wand of a left foot.
🥇 It's time to reveal the @BarclaysWSL Goal of the Season...
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) June 7, 2023
KATIE MCCABE V MAN CITY! 🚀
Preamble
It’s a crying shame that, from an Irish perspective at least, there is not more riding on this game. The Republic of Ireland are already out of their debut World Cup at the group stage, after narrow defeats to Australia and Canada, two games that could have easily gone a different way. This game is purely about pride, which is something that the Irish take very seriously. And so they should!
This is/was a very tough group. Australia and Canada are both ranked inside the top 10. Nigeria are a technically the bottom seed, although this is their ninth World Cup and they have, ridiculously, won Africa Cup of Nations 11 times. Eleven!
In Asisat Oshoala, they have one of the world’s best forwards. The Barcelona star scored against Australia and is Ireland’s biggest threat today.
Nigeria currently top the group on goals scored, and will definitely qualify today with a draw, but need a win to guarantee top spot. Theirs is a good, yet precarious, position to be in.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | Canada | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Australia | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Rep of Ireland | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Kick off: 8pm local time, 11am BST.
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