Canada fought back from a goal down to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 and knock the debutants out of the Women’s World Cup.
Irish captain Katie McCabe scored the Republic’s first World Cup goal when her superb corner flew into the net after just four minutes.
The Irish had chances to add a second against the Olympic champions, but they were undone in first-half injury time as Julia Grosso’s cross took a touch off defender Megan Connolly and nestled in the bottom corner in torrential conditions.
Adriana Leon poked Canada into the lead eight minutes into the second half and, although they pressed forward, the Republic could not find the goal they needed to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
The Republic will be playing for pride against Nigeria, who face co-hosts Australia on Thursday, in their final match in Group B.
After days of sunshine, Perth was hit by torrential rain in the lead up to the match and, knowing they needed to avoid defeat to remain in contention at their first World Cup, it was the Republic who made a stunning start.
Kyra Carusa, who was causing havoc against the Canadian defenders, forced a double save by Kailen Sheridan after being played in by Lucy Quinn.
However, there was lift off in Perth from the resulting corner when captain McCabe, who came close to scoring direct from a corner in their opener with Australia, sent a delightful, curling ball over the head of Sheridan and into the net.
It sparked wild celebrations among the Irish support, who dominated the Rectangular Stadium, which was a sea of colour and noise.
Sheridan was forced into action again as she shovelled Sinead Farrelly’s effort wide, but Canada should have been level, only for stretching defender Vanessa Gilles to somehow poke. over from five yards from a corner.
New Chelsea recruit Ashley Lawrence lobbed over as the rain returned, but Carusa was causing all sorts of problems at the other end and she battled her way into the area and forced a solid save from Sheridan from a tight angle.
Farrelly saw a shot blocked from another McCabe corner, but there was a sucker punch right at the end of the half when Connolly got the slightest of touches on Grosso’s low delivery and Courtney Brosnan was left helpless as the ball found the bottom corner.
Despite their first-half domination, the Republic were lucky to go in level at the break as Gilles headed narrowly wide form another corner.
Canada introduced captain and record goalscorer Christine Sinclair at the break, and Brosnan was forced into action early in the second half when she sprung to her left to push away Jordyn Huitema’s powerful attempt.
Leon’s well-taken effort lifted the pressure off the Canadians, holding off McCabe to poke the ball home, and the Manchester United winger saw another attempt drop wide moments later.
Sinclair, looking to become the first player to score at six World Cups, should have achieved the feat when she shot at Brosnan from close range.
But Ireland still looked dangerous and, with the crowd roaring them on, Carusa headed over after superb play by McCabe down the left.
Sinclair and Huitema both flicked straight at Brosnan as Canada looked to kill the game off, and substitute Cloe Lacasse headed narrowly wide as the stadium held its breath.
McCabe almost produced the moment of magic that the Republic required as she skipped inside a number of Canadian tackles, but her low effort was deflected wide by Lawrence, and when another mazy run followed her attempt was high and wide.
Huitema had two chances to make sure of the win, with her effort deflected wide before a header was easily plucked out of the air by Brosnan.
Substitute Lily Agg fired straight at Sheridan as the Irish gave one final push, but it wasn’t to be and the debutants will head home following the end of the group stage.
