The Canadians narrowly secured their survival, securing a hard-fought victory with a dramatic stoppage-time goal to win 2-1.
It was Quebec’s Vanessa Gilles who played the heroine at the end of the match, with the winning goal. Canada benefited from a long 13-minute stoppage sequence to score.
A shot from Jordyn Huitema was saved but the rebound went to Gilles, who converted with his left foot. The decisive shot deflected off the post to Constance Picaud’s right.
“Sometimes the planets align even when everything is against you,” Gilles said. “It’s just a lot of pride. I’ve never felt so much emotion during a game.”
The win was particularly emotional for the Canadians, who have been rocked by the drone spying scandal. “We cried,” Gilles admitted in an interview with CBC after the game. “I would say it’s not an ideal situation to put on a good performance, but we supported each other and we have absolutely nothing to lose. What gives us energy is counting on each other, our determination and our pride in proving people wrong. Our pride in representing our country when all this shit comes out, our values as Canadians.”
We’re not cheaters. We’re a damn good team, damn good players. We proved it tonight.
Vanessa Gilles
“These are such difficult times, I think I cried for an hour,” added a very emotional Évelyne Viens on Radio-Canada. “It’s one of the most unfair things I’ve experienced in my life, for some people who made us pay for it. I still have questions about why six points, I would like to have explanations. But we controlled what we could control, we left with the three points, and we’ll see about the future, but we didn’t come here for nothing.”
Les Bleues dominated possession throughout the game, at 61%. Canada, however, led 9 to 7 in shots.
At 42e minute, the French upset the Canadian defense with a dizzying passing game. This construction allowed Marie-Antoinette Katoto to position herself advantageously in the penalty area. The attacker dribbled between three enemy players before beating goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
PHOTO ARNAUD FINISTRE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Jessie Fleming celebrates with teammates after scoring the equalizer
It was captain Jessie Fleming who scored Canada’s first goal in the 58th minute.e minute. Full-back Ashley Lawrence went for a cross that the French goalkeeper was unable to neutralize. In the tumult, Fleming was left alone, in front of a gaping goal. Leveling the score was then a formality.
Evelyne Viens only made her entrance in 67e minute, replacing Quinn. The team never called on Cloé Lacasse in the match.
The Canadians won their first match against the New Zealanders by a score of 2-1.
In the wake of the drone spying scandal, FIFA has removed six points from Canada’s standings. The team would have to win all of its matches to advance from Group A. So far, it has won both of its games. If the Canadians beat Colombia on Wednesday, they will advance to the next round.
“I think it’s brought us closer together,” Fleming said. “It seems like it’s us against the planet now.”