IRELAND 2 – 3 SPAIN

 

Sunday, August 16 – Wavre, Belgium: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team came up just short against Spain in their opening game of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. Having gone a goal behind on two occasions, Ireland drew level courtesy of penalty corner goals from Hannah McLoughlin and Niamh Carey. But a final quarter penalty corner goal for Spain was the decisive moment, as the Redsticks secured a 3-2 win.

Ireland enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening minutes of their first Pool C out in Wavre, but Spain looked the more dangerous in attack with space to run into. A late green card in the opening quarter for Spain gave Ireland the opportunity to pile on some pressure, Niamh Carey driving onto the baseline and attempting to pull the ball back to a teammate, but Spain snuffed out the effort to keep the game scoreless.

Spain upped the intensity in quarter 2, finding the back of the net from a penalty corner. Ireland used their referral to good effect, the video umpire agreeing that goalkeeper Lizzy Murphy was fouled in the build up. Spain though did get their opener, Laia Vidosa flicking low into the bottom corner.

Spain almost had a second, but the goal was yet again ruled out after review, but momentum remained in Spain’s favor as they flashed a number of balls across goal in the closing minutes of the first half.

Ireland mounted a response early in the second half, Niamh Carey drawing a heavy challenge on the edge of the Spanish circle to win a penalty corner. Hannah McLoughlin’s slap from the top of the circle took a deflection on the way through to loop into the back of the net and draw Ireland level.

Spain wasted no time in restoring their lead, winning three back-to-back penalty corners. Sarah Torrans charged down the first two efforts, but at the third time of asking, Spain found the back of the net.

But Ireland once again mounted a come back with penalty corners yet again proving fruitful for the Green Army. Roisin Upton found Niamh Carey running at the back post, with Carey getting the touch required to direct the ball goalward.

A final twist in tail came with less than five minutes on the clock, Spain winning a penalty corner of their own. Lizzy Murphy did well to get low to save the initial effort, but Spain pounced on the rebound and smashed the ball off the backboard, ultimately securing the win.

 

Speaking after the game, Hannah McLoughlin said:

“We know each other very very well. Unfortunately, today probably our penalty corners, we didn’t quite get right and then conceded PCs, so very small margins but I did think we played quite well.”

 

Looking ahead to their next match against New Zealand, McLoughlin said:

“Leave the result behind, but also taking positive things forward, how we played, how we felt. It’s an incredible stadium here and a lot of supporters, and we’ll bring that with us. It’s a new challenge”

 

Both the Ireland Women’s and Men’s team return to FIH Hockey World Cup action on Tuesday, August 18. The Ireland Women take on New Zealand at 10:00 Irish Time, followed by the Ireland Men who face South Africa at 16:00 Irish Time.

All of Ireland’s FIH Hockey World Cup matches are available to watch live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player in the Republic of Ireland, and on Watch.Hockey around the world.