Olivia Smith netted a crucial goal in the dying moments to help Canada secure a 1-1 draw against Denmark in the first of two friendly matches between the teams. The Canadian team, ranked ninth globally, struggled to find the back of the net until Smith, a striker from Arsenal, unleashed a powerful shot in the 84th minute that eluded Danish goalkeeper Alberte Vingum in front of a crowd of 10,162 at Stade Saputo in Montreal.
Pernille Harder, the captain of Denmark and a standout player for Bayern Munich, had put her team ahead in the 24th minute on a chilly night with a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius. Despite a late push from Canada, it was not until the final moments that Julia Grosso came close to scoring, hitting the crossbar, and Smith had another attempt saved by Vingum. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Canada then prevailing over Denmark in an unofficial penalty shootout, winning 4-2.
This game marked Canada’s first since their 6-0 victory over Costa Rica in June and their first home match since June 2025. Under head coach Casey Stoney, the Canadian team has performed well against lower-ranked opponents but is still aiming for their first win against a top-15 team since Stoney took charge in January 2025.
The two teams will meet again on Monday at Toronto’s BMO Field, where Allysha Chapman, a long-standing left back for Canada, will celebrate her 100th and final appearance for the national team. These friendlies are crucial preparation for Canada’s upcoming quarterfinal against Panama on November 28 in the CONCACAF W Championship, a tournament that serves as a qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Denmark has already secured their spot in this summer’s World Cup after finishing atop their UEFA qualifying group ahead of Sweden, Serbia, and Italy. Canada played without Vanessa Gilles, a seasoned defender who was sidelined due to a muscle injury sustained while playing for Bayern Munich. Another key defender, Kadeisha Buchanan, was also absent from the match despite being part of the Canadian squad.
Canada dominated possession in the game, holding 69% of the ball, and outshot Denmark 21-9 (6-6 on target). Despite numerous opportunities, Canada struggled to capitalize early in the match, with captain Jessie Fleming missing a chance in the 34th minute. In a highly competitive encounter, both teams put on impressive performances, with Canada ultimately securing a 1-1 draw against Denmark.
