In Ireland's first ever World Cup game they came up just short as a penalty from Australian captain Steph Catley was enough for the hosts to take the win.
Ireland did respond after the goal though and had chances to equalise as Larkin made a real impact off the bench adding pace and creativity to the Irish attack.
Full-time: Australia earn a 1-0 win in their opening game against Ireland, but a spirited second-half display from Vera Pauw's team will give them encouragement for the remaining group games.
Gutted 🙁
An incredible effort from the girls in green who deserved at least a point in their opening match 💪
The country is proud of you 💚#COYGIG | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/vJ1Ivw4c2H— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 20, 2023
1pm
90+6 mins: A mess-up in the Australian box gifts Ireland with a chance as the ball drops to Katie McCabe who can't get the ball out of her feet and serves up a weak effort. That is the last chance Ireland had as the game ends 1-0.
12:57pm
90+3 mins: Ireland are running out of time to get an equaliser, but they continue to control possession and threaten Australia's goal.
12:55pm
90+1 mins: A great free-kick from Connolly sets up a corner kick for Ireland, but they fail to create a clear-cut chance.
12:53pm
89 mins: Clare Hunt gives away a free kick to Ireland with a foul just on the edge of the box.
12:51pm
86 mins: Vera Pauw makes a late change as Isibeal Atkinson comes on for striker Kyra Carusa.
12:48pm
83 mins: Quinn and Larkin have really made an impact of the bench as Ireland continue to press for an equaliser.
12:43pm
79 mins: Another water break gives the chance for players to regain their breath for a moment.
12:37pm
73 mins: Ireland starting to really go at the hosts now, and they win their second corner of the game. Denise O'Sullivan puts a shot over the bar as the corner comes out to her.
12:35pm
70 mins: Ireland win their first corner of the game and a great ball in from Katie McCabe forces the Australian keeper to punch the ball out, but she is fouled by Abbie Larkin in the process.
12:33pm
68 mins: Ireland have a spell of possession in front of the Australian box but fail to create any chance of consequence.
12:25pm
61 mins: Australia retain possession as they probe the Irish defense. Vera Pauw makes two changes as Lucy Quinn and Abbie Larkin come into the game.
12:16pm
GOAL! 52 mins: Captain Steph Catley smashes the ball into the top corner to make the score 1-0 to the hosts from the penalty spot.
WHAT IT MEANS. #FIFAWWC #Matildas pic.twitter.com/k8ViaiDmPX
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 20, 2023
12:15pm
50 mins: Australia are awarded a penalty for a foul in the box.
12:13pm
48 mins: Australia make a nice break on the left-wing through Vine, but she ends up fouling Niamh Fahey as she entered the box.
12:09pm
45 mins: Ireland kick-off the second-half and are awarded a free-kick early on.
It is half-time in Ireland's opening World Cup game against Australia and Vera Pauw's side have done well to repel the host's attack.
There were few clear-cut chances in the first-half from either side as Ireland have defended well but struggled to supply striker Kyra Carusa with meaningful possession.
Fantastic opening 45 minutes 💚
Strong performance against the hosts, huge second-half to come 🙌#COYGIG | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/ggLosPu5mc— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 20, 2023
11:54am
45 mins: Some last gasp efforts from Australia before the end of the first-half, but they are no closer to getting a goal.
11:36am
33 mins: Things are starting to get a bit scrappy now as the battle for midfield heats up. Play is stopped for a quick water break, but it has since resumed.
11:30am
29 mins: The game seems to be really opening up now as Ireland intercepted a ball from Katrina Gorry and have a chance to break, but Australia defend it well.
11:29am
27 mins: Australia have a succession of corners and manage to create a chance on the second one but Raso's header when just wide of the Irish net.
11:23am
19 mins: Australia have an extended period of possession as well as a succession of corners, but none of their chances threaten the Irish goal.
11:15am
14 mins: After a fast start from the hosts, Ireland have settled into the game well, but neither side has had a real chance on goal.
11am
Ireland have kicked off their first game of the 2023 Women's World Cup against Australia.
Ireland's Women Team face a tough opening game for the 2023 World Cup against hosts Australia.
They have received a huge boost however before the game with news that Aussie star Sam Kerr has been ruled out for the game.
The Australian captain has been ruled out of two games of the Women's World Cup, after picking up a calf injury in training a day earlier.
The team said she would re-assessed by the medical team after Australia's second group stage match on July 27 against Nigeria.
Kerr's loss is a big blow for Tony Gustavsson's 10th-ranked Matildas, who are considered one of the favourites to win their home tournament.
The 29-year-old Chelsea striker is the all-time leading goalscorer for her country with 63 goals.
Meanwhile, Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan is certain her grandparents would be beaming with pride had they had lived long enough to see her play in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup debut.
The Everton keeper is eligible for the Republic through her paternal grandparents Margaret and Brendan, who were born in Roscommon and Kerry but later emigrated to the United States, where Brosnan was born and raised.
Asked how she balances her dual identities as a New Jersey native pulling on a Republic shirt, Brosnan said: “I think it’s amazing. I feel like it’s really special because I feel like I’m able to learn so much about my family.
“They’ve both passed on now, but I think it’s just amazing for me to see.
“Like I know how close my dad was with them as well, and to be able to play for Ireland and still have that connection to them, even if they’re not here, it’s really hard to put into words how special that is.
“It just gives me an amazing chance to see all the different parts of my family history. They passed away when I was 15, 16, but growing up it was weekend trips all the time, and we were really close.
“They were from a place called Springfield, Massachusetts and they grew up there when they came over from Ireland. They lived in the same house their whole life, so it’s pretty cool.”
Brosnan posted five clean sheets in World Cup qualifiers, and also denied Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir the vital first-half penalty that would have given Scotland a 1-0 lead in their World Cup play-off to decide which team would make the tournament.
Additional reporting Reuters and PA
