On Wednesday night in Perth at HBF Park or Perth Rectangular Stadium Canada came back from an early 1-0 deficit to beat Ireland 2-1 and secured their first win at the World Cup and vault for now into first place in Group B.

An own goal by Megan Conolly and a strike by Adrianna Leon pushed Canada over the line to get the win facing tough cold, rainy, and wet conditions not to mention a packed stadium of 17,000 with the majority of them being Irish.

Katie McCabe opened the scoring four minutes into the game with an Olimpico off a corner that sailed over Canadian keeper Kailen Sheridan’s head into the back of the net.

It felt like a game in Dublin with the way the weather was going and Canada didn’t get off to a very good start. In the 3rd minute, Krya Carusa had the first chance of the game with a shot from distance but Kailen Sheridan made a diving save.

On the ensuing corner, Katie McCabe scored the opening goal of the game off a corner that went far post into the back of the net. Sinead Farrelly had a chance for Ireland in the 10th minute but Sheridan was able to make the save.

Canada earned their first shot on target in the 23rd minute when Jordyn Huitema was able to land something on the net but Irish keeper Courtney Brosnan made her first save of the night.

Carusa had another chance in the 41st minute but again was denied by Sheridan who had seemed to find her game again. Canada tied the game in the fifth minute of added time to the first half when she tried a cross into the box that went off Irish defender Megan Connolly and into the net.

Huitema had another chance four minutes into the second half but again was denied by Brosnan who was also playing well under stressful conditions. Four minutes later Canada took the lead when Sophie Schmidt who had come on at the beginning of the second half was able to time a perfect pass that threaded the needle through two Irish players for Leon to slot home.

Christine Sinclair who had started the game on the bench for the first time in her international career had two solid chances to add to Canada’s lead but Brosnan shut the door.

Huitema also had two more chances but wasn’t able to beat Brosnan on the night. Canada held on for the win, their first of the tournament. The result officially eliminates Ireland from the tournament as they have lost both their matches in the group.

Canada will travel back to Melbourne to face the cohosts Australia on July 31st at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium at AAMI Park while the Irish will face African giants Nigeria.