Katie McCabe 'heartbroken' over Ireland's World Cup elimination

Katie McCabe admitted she was 'heartbroken' over the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 loss against Canada which knocked them out of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The match started on a high for Ireland when McCabe scored the side's first-ever World Cup goal in the fourth minute straight from a corner.

Throughout the first half, the team created several opportunities to extend their advantage. But just before half-time, Megan Connolly unintentionally deflected a cross from Canada's Julia Grosso into her own net, leveling the score.

In the second-half, Canada brought on veterans Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt, the latter assisting Adriana Leon's goal just eight minutes after the restart.

Ireland fought to stage a comeback but couldn't find the back of the net, resulting in their elimination with one match to spare from the groups.

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"I'm just heartbroken for the girls because I feel we deserved so much more from the game," McCabe said to RTE after the loss.

It marked the second defeat in Ireland's World Cup campaign, narrowly losing to Australia 1-0 in their opener.

"I think we took a lot of positives from the second half against Australia, we decided to attack and back ourselves going forward because we know we have the quality and pace on the flanks as well," continued McCabe.

"We wanted to start the game with a lot of energy and get in Canada's faces and I felt we did that. It's just about capitalising on those moments as well. 

"We felt like we were in control. I think it was an unfortunate deflection, I haven't watched [the own goal] back yet, but it was sucker-punch just before half-time getting so close, it would have been nice going in 1-0 up. 

"But even in the second half we felt we could push for another goal but obviously they scored then."

Looking ahead to their final group game against Nigeria, the team aims to conclude the tournament on a high note, giving their fans something to cheer for.

McCabe concluded: "I'm just so proud of everyone, staff included, it's a joint effort. We've done so much to get here, but it's about pushing on. We know the level now. We've had experience at a tournament and we're going to be hungry for more. 

"Against Nigeria we want to end this tournament on a high and give something for the fans, because they've been absolutely immense."

WATCH THE LATEST WORLD CUP EDITION OF 90MIN TALKS

Shebahn Aherne is joined by Girls on the Ball, Chloe Morgan and 90min's Lizzy Becherano to review the World Cup's opening fixtures. England's narrow win over an impressive Haiti is also analysed, as are the Lionesses' attacking concerns going forward.

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