There was no other way for Katie McCabe to put it, nor was there anywhere to hide her emotions. In 90 minutes, the Ireland captain had gone from the elation of scoring her country’s first goal at the Women’s World Cup to the heartbreak of going out after two matches. Ireland will leave the tournament believing they deserved more and while the joy was great while it lasted, it probably made it hurt a whole lot more when it was over. Canada’s comeback on a sodden night in Perth ended any hopes Ireland had of reaching the knockout stages, leaving their final fixture against Nigeria on Monday as a dead-rubber. The ‘group of death’, at least from Ireland’s perspective, played out in the manner that many had feared. After facing the unenviable task of facing co-hosts Australia in their opening game, Ireland had to at least draw against an experienced and gritty Canada side who had their backs against the wall. Realistically, they couldn’t have asked for two harder games to start their first ever World Cup adventure. Yet Ireland were competitive in both and on different days may have come away with the results their performances had merited. Ireland’s aggressive start against Canada had left the Olympic champions shaken, only for the contest to turn on Megan Connolly’s own goal just before half time. If that was the moment of misfortune Ireland were left to rue, it will be a long four years, at least, until they get this chance again. “I’m just heartbroken,” McCabe concluded through the tears. Perhaps their luck had already run out. With just four minutes played, Ireland had found themselves in some sort of euphoric dreamland as McCabe stood over a corner on the right, snapped her left foot and whipped the cross towards the back post. Did McCabe mean it? Did it matter? Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was caught, it drifted over her head, and Ireland had found a moment of attacking quality that they so desperately lacked in their rare attacks against Australia. It arrived so suddenly and so spectacularly, but from there Ireland grew in confidence, believing that they were now not just fighting for survival, but the chance to progress as well. Canada were disrupted by Ireland’s belief, flustered by their hard running and sheer effort. Kyra Carusa forced Canada and Chelsea centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan to be taken off, out of mercy more than anything, after a first half of contestant harrying, without ever allowing her a moment of peace. Ireland were living up to their billing, after being described by the Canada head coach Bev Priestman as a “horrible team to play against”. But that was also a compliment and in Ireland, Canada were faced with something familiar, a team who were built on the same foundations and fundamentals that led them to the gold medal at the Olympics two years ago. In their own way, Ireland provoked Canada into becoming that team for the first time at this World Cup. The match turned. After surviving the initial wave of pressure, Ireland were made to really suffer, in a way that Australia never really managed to do to them in Sydney. It came after what was a fortunate equaliser before half time, with Canada getting equal for McCabe’s goal. Julia Grosso’s inswinging cross from the left lingered awkwardly and the slightest touch off Connolly took it inside the far post. Canada regained their composure and found their control. Buchanan was one of three hooked at half time, with Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt, and Shelina Zadorska brought on. From there, a plan from Ireland that had been working was faced with a different game. Canada were able to dominate - Schmidt threaded the pass through to Adriana Leon, who took a touch and finished the chance in one swift movement. Ireland tried to rally - a point would have given them a chance going into the final round of the group. McCabe’s cross found Carusa, who could only head over with Sheridan stranded again. McCabe went close as she cut in from the right and shot towards the near post, with Sheridan getting down to save. Then the frustration came, with McCabe shooting over from distance when Denise O’Sullivan was in a better position. Ultimately, Canada showed their class. One of the themes over the opening rounds of fixtures at this World Cup has been the competitiveness of the debutant sides, and the moments they have been able to celebrate as the gap closes on the established nations. Perhaps this was a lesson from Canada that, when it gets to crunch time, that only goes so far. Read More Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: Ireland out as Canada come from behind after Katie McCabe wondergoal Darts, colouring in and 1,000 bags of Yorkshire tea: Inside the Lionesses’ World Cup den Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Games, colouring and 1,000 bags of tea: Inside the Lionesses’ World Cup den Katie McCabe: Ireland captain and Arsenal’s player of the season in profile Women’s World Cup LIVE: Canada vs Republic of Ireland and today’s results

Trevor Williams tossed two-hit ball over six shutout innings and led the Washington Nationals to a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night in front of hundreds of the best Little League World Series players from around the world

Islam Makhachev stunned Alexander Volkanovski with a first-round knockout on Saturday, retaining the lightweight title in their rematch at UFC 294. In February, Makhachev outpointed Volkanovski – who holds the featherweight belt – in the latter’s native Australia, in a competitive clash that left many fans desiring a rematch. Few expected it to come at UFC 294, but 11 days before the event, Makhachev’s original challenger Charles Oliveira suffered a severe cut over his eye. And with that, the door opened for Volkanovski. The 35-year-old relished the chance to avenge his narrow loss to Makhachev, but there was to be no revenge for him – only a repeat as the Russian triumphed again, and in finer fashion this time. Midway through the first round of the main event, southpaw Makhachev skimmed his left shin off Volkanovski’s head, wobbling and dropping the featherweight king. Makhachev, 31, followed up with a fierce flurry of hammer fists to the grounded Aussie, whose brow split open amid the onslaught. Referee Marc Goddard stepped in, confirming an emphatic victory and title defence for Makhachev. Re-live updates and results from the UFC 294 main card and prelims, below. Read More Islam Makhachev stuns Alexander Volkanovski with head-kick KO in first round at UFC 294 UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list Alexander Volkanovski’s gamble shows the best and worst of the UFC

Donny van de Beek admits he is prepared to leave Man Utd in January over his lack of minutes.

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A "sell the team" chant broke out at the All-Star Game, aimed at A's owner John Fisher.

Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen says defender Benjamin Pavard will undergo medical tests at Inter Milan ahead of an expected transfer to the Italian club

Mikel Arteta hailed the “empathy” of his Arsenal players after what he hopes was a game-changing goal from Kai Havertz in their win at Bournemouth. The £65million summer signing from Chelsea had not registered a goal or assist in his first nine games for the Gunners but finally hit the target as he converted a penalty in a 4-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium. Arsenal were already two goals to the good through Bukayo Saka’s header and a Martin Odegaard penalty when an on-field decision handed responsibility for a second spot-kick of the afternoon to under-fire Havertz. He tucked away his chance to break his duck, as his team-mates and the away end greeted the goal with jubilant celebrations. “I’m really happy for the win, but I’m even happier to be part of a team that shows the human qualities that they did today,” Arteta said. “Without me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They’ve done it in a really natural way. “I’m delighted they made that decision. And so thankful as well to our supporters for the way they sung his name and made him feel today. If there’s a player who deserves that it’s Kai Havertz, so happy for him. “We have all tried to give him support and the right tools. He’s doing so many great things in the game. It was about that moment, that was the question that had to be resolved and today he has done it. “To show that level of empathy and understanding, worrying and caring for somebody is just great.” Without me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They’ve done it in a really natural way Mikel Arteta Arteta referenced Olympic champion Usain Bolt when discussing how Havertz deserved his moment in the south coast sunshine following his hard work in recent weeks. “Probably it will change everything,” the Spaniard replied when asked what the goal could do for Havertz. “If he had any question marks about how we feel about him, about what he does, I think they are out. “I think in sport – Usain Bolt said it once – ‘I have to train four years to run nine seconds’. Sometimes you have to do a lot and you don’t see that. “In that moment you see it. I think after everything he’s been through in the last few weeks that moment is worth all of it, so really happy for him.” The one sour note for Arsenal came as Saka limped off injured for the second game in a row, raising the possibility he could miss next Sunday’s showdown with champions Manchester City. Bournemouth, meanwhile, remain winless in the Premier League under new head coach Andoni Iraola. The Cherries have come close on previous occasions but that was not the case here, with Iraola admitting the hosts did not deserve a result. “It was the first time we were not at the level the competition required and we did not finish the game well,” he said. “For sure this game leaves the worse sensation for me. You can lose against this type of team because they are really good but it is the first game this season where I have felt that we were not at the level. “You have to be at your best to compete against these teams and we weren’t after the first goal. We cannot concede two penalties and also the first goal is a bit strange, we should be there but we lost the positioning of Saka. “We started really well, were doing well but after 1-0 I think they were better than us.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Michael Beale uncertain of Rangers future after ‘terrible’ Aberdeen result Rob Edwards ‘very, very proud’ of Luton after landmark Premier League win Eddie Howe worried over growing injury list as Newcastle prepare for PSG clash

The Phoenix Suns have a new owner and a new head coach. But NBA rumors say that won't enough to smooth things over with Deandre Ayton.After a clear rift emerged between head coach Monty Williams and star center Deandre Ayton during the 2022 playoffs, it seemed obvious that Ayton was on his ...

Bayer Leverkusen has signed Croatia defender Josip Stanišić on loan from Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich for the rest of the season

Leicester have confirmed seven players will depart the club at the end of their contracts in June, including Caglar Soyuncu and Daniel Amartey. The announcement comes following the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship on the final day of the Premier League season last month. Turkish defender Soyuncu joined in 2018 from Freiburg and has featured over 100 times for Leicester, while fellow centurion Amartey made his first appearances for the club during their Premier League title-winning season in 2016. Youri Tielemans is also among those leaving, having announced his exit on Instagram last week after spending four years with the club since joining from Monaco in 2019. Nampalys Mendy, Ryan Bertrand, Ayoze Perez and Tete are the remaining players who are to leave the King Power following the expiration of their contracts. Captain Jonny Evans remains in discussions with the Foxes as his contract is set to expire this month, while an option has been exercised to extend Hamza Choudhury’s contract to June 2024. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live