After Norway’s defeat on Thursday against New Zealand, another title contender, Canada, did not have an ideal start in this 2023 World Cup.
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Canada avoided the blunder experienced by Norway on Thursday, dominated by one of the host countries, New Zealand. The Olympic champion was however hooked for his entry into the running in the 2023 World Cup, Friday July 21, by Nigeria (0-0). The Super Falcons succeeded in their mission: to frustrate Team Canada offensively. This result suits Australia, winner in the same group B on Thursday against Ireland (1-0) and in the lead after the first day.
The Canadians will no longer have the right to make mistakes to qualify for the round of 16. They will have lessons to learn from this first meeting, which they will have dominated but without managing to concretize their control. Three times as many successful passes, 15 shots to 10… Beverly Priestman’s players tried, in vain. They notably stumbled on Chiamaka Nnadozie, goalkeeper of Paris FC and impeccable to stop Christine Sinclair’s penalty on the hour mark (60th).
Curled up in front of their goal, the Nigerians collect a precious point to hope to repeat their performance of the 2019 edition, during which they reached the round of 16. However, they will have to do without their defender Deborah Abiodun, excluded at the very end of the match (90 + 7th), Thursday against Australia. But they will still have a new shot to play against Matildas deprived of their star Sam Kerr, injured and already forfeited.
Canada, never a World Cup winner but gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after beating the United States and then Sweden for the title, will face Ireland on Wednesday in Perth (2:00 p.m.).