Steph Catley's second-half penalty gave World Cup co-hosts Australia a 1-0 victory over debutants the Republic of Ireland in Sydney.
Australia lost captain and star forward Sam Kerr to a calf injury on the eve of the tournament but stand-in skipper Catley converted the winner in the 52nd minute.
The Republic of Ireland frustrated the Matildas in the first half but their good work was undone when Marissa Sheva pushed Hayley Raso and Brazilian referee Edina Alves point to the spot.
Kerr, who is also set to miss Australia's second game with Nigeria, celebrated on the bench with her team-mates but was restrained as she nursed the injury which kept her out of her team's opener.
The Republic came close to an equaliser when captain Katie McCabe's corner almost went straight in, and Denise O'Sullivan fired over from inside the area.
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