Sun | May 24, 2026

Australia open Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over Ireland

Published:Thursday | July 20, 2023 | 8:24 AM
Australia players celebrate after Steph Catley scored the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Women's World Cup football match between Australia and Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

SYDNEY (AP) — Rocked by the late withdrawal of Sam Kerr through injury, Australia needed time to settle before getting off to a winning start at the Women's World Cup on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Ireland.

Steph Catley swept home a 52nd-minute penalty to end Ireland's resistance and spark an eruption of joy from fans inside Stadium Australia.

There was also no shortage of relief from the majority of the 75,784-strong crowd after the tournament co-hosts struggled to cope without the country's all-time leading scorer Kerr, who will also miss the second game of Group B against Nigeria because of a calf injury.

By the final whistle Kerr was on the field, arm-in-arm with her teammates as they gathered in celebration after being pushed to the limit by Ireland.

The crowd only learned of Kerr's injury about an hour before kick-off.

The Sydney result meant both co-hosts started the tournament with wins after New Zealand beat Norway 1-0 in an emotional opening day in Auckland.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.