After a scoreless draw with Nigeria, the Republic of Ireland were eliminated from the World Cup for the first time. Nigeria will move on to the round of 16 and may face England.
As a consequence of this and Australia’s victory over Canada, the Super Falcons, the group’s bottom-ranked team, advanced to the knockout stage as runners-up, eliminating the defending Olympic champions from contention.
The Irish were eliminated from the competition after losing to Australia and Canada, but they won their last game to earn their first ever World Cup point.
In a low-key match in Brisbane, Nigeria came closest to scoring when Courtney Brosnan made a spectacular stop on a header from Uchenna Kanu.
In Brisbane, Nigeria will face whichever team emerges victorious from Group D; if England ties or beats China on Tuesday, they will advance to face Nigeria.
Vera Pauw, the Republic’s manager, has a contract that expires at the end of the tournament, and the Dutch manager believed she and her players needed clarification on her situation.
On the pitch, the first half in Brisbane was tight as both teams struggled to maintain control. The best opportunity of the half fell to the Republic of Ireland, but Katie McCabe’s shot went wide thanks to some excellent combination play between Sinead Farrelly and the returning Heather Payne.
In Brisbane, the Irish supporters were in the majority, but in Melbourne, Hayley Raso’s goal gave the small contingent of Australians in attendance something to celebrate.
Asisat Oshoala almost gave the Super Falcons the lead when Louise Quinn gave the ball away and she raced clear, but she shot wide when everyone in the stadium thought she would make no mistake and send the ball into the back of the net. Nigeria were content to sit deep in their own half knowing a draw would be enough to advance.
Payne’s cross was just too far for the extended leg of Farrelly, but Ireland, whose first World Cup goal came courtesy of captain McCabe against Canada, appeared the more likely side to break the deadlock and came close.
Kyra Carusa’s header was saved by Nigeria’s captain Chimaka Nnadozie, and Nigeria could only muster long-range attempts from Toni Payne.
Nigeria’s hopes of advancing in the tournament were given a boost just before halftime when Raso scored Australia’s second goal.
