Canada v Nigeria: Christine Sinclair missed chance to score at sixth FIFA World Cup
Posted : 21 July 2023
In an exciting match in Melbourne, Nigeria's goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a crucial save from Sinclair's penalty kick early in the second half, frustrating the Olympic champions and securing a point for Nigeria in Group B.
Despite Deborah Abiodun's late red card, Nigeria displayed a tenacious performance to earn the draw. Both Canada and Nigeria now have one point in the group, trailing co-hosts Australia.
Captain Christine Sinclair entered the game with a personal milestone in mind, as she made her 324th international appearance and has an impressive tally of 190 goals for her country. As one of only three players to score in five FIFA World Cups, she had an opportunity to make history with a penalty awarded after a VAR intervention. However, her attempt was weak and brilliantly saved by Nigeria's outstanding young goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Coach Randy Waldrum praised Nnadozie, hailing her as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world, and credited her save for igniting the team's spirit and determination to compete.
Nigeria, ranked 33 places below Canada in the FIFA rankings, adopted a deep defensive approach that limited Canada's clear chances, aside from the penalty. Sinclair had a near miss from the edge of the area in the first half, while Nnadozie denied Evelyne Viens' attempt in the second.
Despite the disappointment of not securing three points, Canada's coach Beverly Priestman emphasized the importance of moving on quickly and acknowledged the team's resilience in securing one point and taking two from another team.
In the first half, Nigeria came closest to scoring when a mistake from the Canadian goalkeeper allowed Asisat Oshoala to round her, but Ashley Lawrence made a crucial block to deny the Barcelona forward's shot from a tight angle.
In the final seconds of the match, VAR intervened once again, leading referee Lina Lehtovaara to upgrade Abiodun's yellow card to a red for a high tackle on Lawrence. Nevertheless, Nigeria held on to keep their hopes alive for advancing from their Women's World Cup group, a feat they have achieved only twice in nine tournaments.
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