Ireland came up just short against Spain in their opening game of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, losing 3-2.
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.
Ireland enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening minutes of their first Pool C outing 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, 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 the second quarter, 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, Carey drawing a heavy challenge on the edge of the Spanish circle to win a penalty corner. 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.
However, Ireland once again mounted a come back with penalty corners yet again proving fruitful for the Green Army. Roisin Upton found 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. 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.
“We know each other very very well,” McLoughlin said after the match. “Unfortunately, today probably our penalty corners, we didn’t quite get right and then conceded (penalty corners), so very small margins but I did think we played quite well.”
Looking ahead to their next match against New Zealand, McLoughlin added:
“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”
Watch the Men’s and Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.