Steph Catley stepped up to the penalty spot with her nation’s expectations on her shoulders. Star striker Sam Kerr had been forced to pull out with an injury and Australia had been unable to trouble the visitors’ goal. They couldn’t cope with the determination and hunger of a Republic of Ireland side eager to prove themselves on their first foray on the world stage and needed their moment of magic. It was her time to shine.
As she fired home, leaving Courtney Brosnan watching on as she dived in the wrong direction, she corrected Australia’s failures and set them on course for the World Cup they’d been hoping for. This is the perfect situation and they’ll feel capable of upsetting the established order.
