Overview
- Ireland beat New Zealand 3-2 in Wavre on Tuesday to remain in contention for a top-two finish in Group C.
- Sarah Hawkshaw opened the scoring with a 24th-minute deflection, Róisín Upton converted a penalty stroke for her first World Cup goal, and Katie Mullan added a late penalty-corner deflection.
- A Hawkshaw backhand was ruled out after a video referral showed the shot was taken marginally outside the circle, and a New Zealand defender stopping the ball on the line led to the penalty stroke that Upton scored.
- Sarah McAuley was voted player of the match and the strong Irish support in the Belfius Arena helped lift the team during a tense final quarter.
- The win is Ireland’s first World Cup pool victory since 2018 and now sets up a decisive Thursday night match against co-host Belgium, who will play before a packed home crowd and remain heavy favourites.