Error ends World Cup dream

USA 2 Ireland 1

The loss was all the more painful, as American’s winning goal came courtesy of a dreadful error by inspirational Irish captain Rachel Kohler midway through the second half, at a time when the Irish were in the ascendancy.

As in the game against England, Ireland started slowly and the defence was caught flat-footed on 14 minutes, allowing Kate Barber to ghost into the circle and score with ease.