Ireland pay the penalty as Matildas edge Sydney battle

The Republic of Ireland's FIFA Women’s World Cup debut ended in a spirited 1-0 defeat to co-hosts Australia at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.

Steph Catley’s 52nd-minute penalty settled a scrappy, hard-fought game after Marissa Sheva was penalised for a nudge on Hayley Raso.

In a frantic finale, Megan Connolly’s 90th-minute free-kick dropped inches over the bar, and Katie McCabe drew a smart low save from Mackenzie Arnold, but a typically resolute Ireland just couldn’t muster the quality required to nab an equaliser.

Although the Matildas captain and star striker Sam Kerr was ruled out with a calf injury, Tony Gustavsson's team found enough to dig out three points as they aim to mount a serious attempt to win this tournament.

Vera Pauw’s team must now dust themselves down for a daunting clash with Canada in Perth next Wednesday.

Kerr's shock absence due to a calf injury sucked the air out of the stadium 40 minutes before kick-off.

It was a massive blow to the Aussies but they were able to call upon Mary Fowler, the daughter of a Dubliner who fired them to a 1-0 win over France last Friday.

Pockets of noisy Irish fans were sprayed around the ground, belting out The Fields of Athenry in an electric atmosphere.

Gustavsson had confidently declared that he’d seen "clear weaknesses" in the Irish gameplan, and from the first ten minutes it was obvious his team were targeting Ireland’s right-hand side.

Cortnee Vine drifted away from Heather Payne and Fahey early on before winning a corner; then Ellie Carpenter galloped beyond McCabe to swing in a cross that Louise Quinn volleyed clear.

The excellent Katrina Gorry punched holes in the Irish midfield with smart movement and passing, but their only chance of note in the