AUSTRALIA – The Canadian Women’s National Team played their last match of Group B of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup against co-host Australia on Monday evening at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, falling 4-0 in defeat.
With this result, Canada has finished third place in the group and is eliminated from the tournament.
The co-host took an early lead in the 9’ when Captain Stephanie Catley controlled the ball on the left wing, sending over a cross that was received by FW Hailey Raso, who found the bottom left back of the net.
The goal was initially called offside, but after a VAR review, the referee reversed the decision, and it was a 1-0 Australia advantage.
Canada tried to equalize through a free kick in the 22’, with FW Jordyn Huitema jumping onto a header, but the ball went wide.
Australia didn’t slow down and the Matildas kept the momentum going by doubling their lead in the 39’ from a corner kick, Raso again taking advantage on a loose ball and poking home past Canada GK Kailen Sheridan to make it 2-0.
Things remained in Australia’s favor into the second half and it became 3-0 in the 58’ when FW Caitlin Foord made a run down the left wing, sending a cross that landed in the box, allowing Mary Fowler to redirect the ball in.
The reigning Olympic champions tried to pull one back through one of their substitutes, FW Deanne Rose, in the 66’, as she found space in the box, shooting with force for Canada’s first shot on target, however, Australia GK Mackenzie Arnold denied her.
It would be Australia’s night and the fourth and final goal came from a penalty kick after a VAR review, MF Jessie Flemming stepping on MF Katrina Gorry on the edge the of the box. Catley took the ball and scored from the spot to give her team the final goal of the evening.
Fulltime 🍁@CANWNT are knocked out of the #FIFAWWC #WeCAN pic.twitter.com/PIt3s4ORXL
— CAN Soccer’s WNT (@CANWNT) July 31, 2023