Ireland lose 3-2 to Spain at World Cup
Ireland missed an opportunity to seize control of their World Cup future after losing 3-2 to Spain in a thrilling opening World Cup Pool C game in Wavre.
Ireland went behind twice after goals from Laia Vidosa and Sophia Keenan but fought back with Hannah McLoughlin and Niamh Carey scoring from penalty corners.
Despite Gareth Grundie's side being in the ascendancy, a superb strike from Xantal Gine with five minutes remaining broke Irish hearts.
"We were very disappointed with our second quarter of that game,” Irish captain Sarah Hawkshaw told BBC Sport NI.
"We thought we started quite well, and in the second half we dominated most of the momentum of the game. But the second quarter, we were disappointed with that. It put us on the back foot.