Arsenal star Katie McCabe ‘breaks finger’ then hammers Hayley Raso and Laura Woods loves the battle
Republic of Ireland's Katie McCabe didn't let a broken finger stop her from putting on a battling display in the opening game against Australia.
The Arsenal star started her country's first game in the Women's World Cup against the tournament's co-hosts.
But before half time McCabe went down with what looked to be a finger issue, with replays showing she landed awkwardly on her hand.
The 27-year-old appeared to mouth 'I think I've broken it' as she returned to the field with her fingers strapped up.
But, typically for McCabe, the Ireland captain didn't let that stop her from showcasing the physical side of her game.
Not long after she returned to the play, she continued her ongoing battle with Australia's Hayley Raso, putting a heavy tackle in on her opponent.
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The clash of knees left Raso in a bundle on the floor, but the former Man City star soon got up to continue.
"At one point she'd gone down, she had her fingers strapped up, nothing is going to stop her, is it?" former talkSPORT Breakfast host Laura Woods told ITV at half time.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the second half between these two, as long as none of them get damaged!"
Woodsy wasn't the only one lapping up the contest between the pair either, as fans reacted online to the clash.
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"Raso and McCabe putting up a show of their own, love to see it!" one supporter wrote.
But another warned McCabe not too be too daring in the second half, writing: "McCabe should be very careful for cards. Deserves a yellow at least in the first half."
McCabe was also compared to feisty former Ireland international and Manchester United legend Roy Keane, with one fan saying: "This is hilarious. Katie McCabe has the spirit of Roy Keane flowing through her!"
But McCabe and her country soon found themselves 1-0 down after the break.
Australia captain Stephanie Catley capitalised from the penalty spot after Marissa Sheva fouled Raso - who again was on the receiving end of a clash - in the box, with the Girls in Green unable to respond before full time.
Co-hosts New Zealand got off to a winning start earlier in the day, too, securing the country's first ever World Cup win with a 1-0 victory against former champions Norway in the tournament's opening game.
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