Katie McCabe's stunning Olimpico goal for Ireland takes the early lead as the best World Cup 2023 goal

Some called it magnificent. Others said it was sorcery.

Simply put, Katie McCabe’s goal for the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday was incredible.

She pulled off a difficult score, netting what soccer fans like to call an Olimpico – meaning a goal scored directly from a corner kick. Olimpicos are super rare. There’s only been one scored in the men’s World Cup, in 1962. McCabe’s was the first in the women’s tournament. Megan Rapinoe has netted a pair of them for the USWNT in the Olympics, in 2012 and in 2021.

McCabe’s strike – which came in the fourth minute of Wednesday’s Group B match against Canada – was also the first-ever World Cup goal for Ireland.

Lining up at the corner to the left of the back of the goal, the left-footed McCabe took three quick steps before lofting the ball into the penalty area. Instead of meeting the head or boot of one of her teammates though, the ball kept soaring. It went over the mitts of Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan before bouncing off the far post and settling into the back of the net.

OH MY GOODNESS, OH MY OLIMPICO

KATIE MCCABE WHAT A WAY TO SCORE YOUR FIRST GOAL IN A FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP! pic.twitter.com/OFWwbMGd8W

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 26, 2023

Here’s another angle:

WHAT HAVE WE JUST WITNESSED FROM MCCABE AND IRELAND pic.twitter.com/DxNHsenMjP

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 26, 2023

Unfortunately, the good times wouldn’t last for Ireland. Canada won the match 2-1.

While folks might eventually forget that scoreline, McCabe’s outstanding goal should remain in the memories of soccer fans for a while.