Canadian Olympic champions won entry from Nigeria

Canada avoided the mistake experienced by Norway on Thursday, dominated by one of the host countries, New Zealand. However, the Olympic champion was hooked for his entry into the race for the 2023 World Cup, on Friday 21 July, by Nigeria (0-0). The Super Falcons have succeeded in their mission: to frustrate Team Canada offensively. This result is good for Australia, winners in the same group B on Thursday against Ireland (1-0) and leading after the first day.

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 encounter, which they will have dominated but failed to materialize their control. Three times as many successful passes, 15 of 10 shots… Beverly Priestman players tried, in vain. They came across in particular Chiamaka Nnadozie, goalkeeper of Paris FC and impeccable in saving Christine Sinclair’s penalty on the hour (60th).

Huddled in front of their goal, the Nigerians pick up a precious point to hopefully repeat the performance of the 2019 edition, during which they reached the round of 16. However, they will have to do without their defense Deborah Abiodun, excluded right at the end of the match (97th), Thursday against Australia. A possible new move to play against the Matildas deprived of their injured and already decided star Sam Kerr.

Canada, never World Cup winners but gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after beating the United States and then Sweden for the title, take on Ireland in Perth on Wednesday (2pm).