Soccer-Canada find their feet in 2-1 win over gutsy Ireland

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group B - Canada v Republic of Ireland - Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia - July 26, 2023 Canada's Sophie Schmidt and Vanessa Gilles in action REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

PERTH (Reuters) - An accurate toe-poke by forward Adriana Leon coupled with a touch of fortune allowed Canada to secure a 2-1 victory against Ireland on Wednesday, their first of this year's Women's World Cup, in wet and windy conditions at Perth Oval.

Fresh off a scoreless draw with Nigeria, Canada put themselves ahead in the match when Leon found the back of the net in the 53rd minute as her side increasingly exerted their dominance over a plucky Irish outfit.