MIAMI, Florida – The first match for a Concacaf team at the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup took place on Friday afternoon at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia where reigning Olympic champions Canada played to a 0-0 draw with Nigeria.
The Canadian attack started early in the 8’ from the boots of captain Christine Sinclair, who tried a long shot from outside the box but was slightly off-target, going wide of the post.
In the 22’, Nigeria tried to surprise the Canadian defensive line, with FW Asisat Oshoala shooting from outside the area and Canada GK Kailen Sheridan stopping her attempt, sending it out for a corner kick.
In the 36’, Oshoala found a way into Sheridan’s área with the GK off her line, however DF Ashley Lawrence was able to clear the danger.
A big moment came in the 48’ when Sinclair went down in the Nigeria área and after a VAR reviiew, the referee called for a penalty kick for a foul.
Sinclair stepped up to take it, but was denied from the spot by GK Chiamaka Nnadozie, keeping the match goalless.
Canada kept pushing with chances in the 56’ and 66’ from FW Adriana Leon and Evelyne Viens, respectively, but Leon’s effort was wide and Viens’ attempt was saved.
The intensity didn’t stop, with both teams going all out for the final minutes, but neither could find a winning score, leaving the match without a goal and sharing a point each.
