Canada vs Nigeria score, result as Christine Sinclair misses penalty in 0-0 draw in FIFA Women's World Cup

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Simon Borg
• 17 min read
Christine Sinclair missed a penalty vs Nigeria in 2023 Women's World Cup
(Getty Images)

The world's all-time leading international scorer Christine Sinclair failed to convert a penalty and Olympic champions Canada settled for a 0-0 draw against Nigeria to open group play at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The No. 7-ranked Canadians were the favorites against No. 40-Nigeria, but they couldn't get many clear looks during the match as the Nigerians defended stoutly, often with last-ditch emergency defending that proved effective. The penalty could have been the turning point for Canada.

The referee pointed to the spot after Sinclair was clipped in the Nigerian box on a dribbling move early in the second half. With regular penalty taker Jessie Fleming on the bench carrying an injury, Sinclair stepped up herself and watched Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie make the sure-handed stop.

Nigeria enjoyed several positive spells during the game and caused the Canadians more than a few headaches. Canadian defenders made key plays and 'keeper Kailen Sheridan came up with a couple of stops of her own to keep the Super Falcons at bay.

Highlights in Canada:

Highlights in USA:

Group B is considered by many to be the Group of Death at this 2023 World Cup for how evenly matched the teams are, and the 0-0 draw will only serve to make the battle for the top two spots even more fierce with just two group matches to go. Hosts Australia will face Nigeria next, knowing that a win would see the Matildas qualify for the Round of 16.

Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
1. Australia 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1
2. Nigeria 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
3. Canada 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
4. Rep. of Ireland 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 -1

Canada vs Nigeria final score

  Final Goal scorers
Canada 0  
Nigeria 0  

Lineups:

Canada (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Sheridan (GK) — 8-Riviere (2-Chapman 71'), 3-Buchanan, 14-Gilles, 10-Lawrence — 5-Quinn, 7-Grosso (15-Prince 83') — 6-Rose (20-Lacasse 46'), 12-Sinclair (13-Schmidt 71'), 19-Leon (11-Viens 64') — 9-Huitema.

Nigeria (4-1-4-1, right to left): 16-Nnadozie (GK) — 22-Alozie, 3-Ohale, 14-Demehin, 2-Plumptre — 10-Uchiebe, — 17-Ordega (12-Kanu 72'), 8-Oshoala (19-Echegini 91'), 7-Payne, 13-Abiodun — 6-Onumonu (21-Okoronkwo 85').

Sinclair penalty miss looms large

Goals don't come so easy for this Canadian team, which makes Christine Sinclair's failure to convert a potentially decisive penalty that much tougher to take for Canadian fans. In a group that is likely to be decided by fine margins, that penalty miss could come back to haunt the Olympic champions.

"[Sinclair] has scored goal after goal after goal for this country," Bev Priestman told TSN postgame. "I'm sure the fans and the players would forgive Christine for missing that because she did way more than that in the game."

According to reporters on-site, Sinclair didn't stop to talk to press in the mixed zone.

What happened to Canada?

Entering the tournament, the questions were always about the attacking side of the ball for the Canadians. With a world-class goalkeeper (Kailen Sheridan) and elite defenders, they are built to keep games close. But do they have enough attacking talent to decide games in their favor?

The absence of playmaker Janine Beckie from the roster (ACL recovery) was already problematic. But when influential midfielder Jessie Fleming also sat out the match after missing parts of training in the lead-up, the attacking ideas dried up. Christine Sinclair served in the attacking midfield role, but she doesn't impact the game and flow as effectively as the others from that position.

Wingers Adriana Leon and Deanne Rose were unable to get in behind regularly enough and generate danger or deliver effective service from the flanks. They were the first players subbed off. Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens were slight upgrades, but things were still not clicking in the attack. Center-forward Jordyn Huitema was forced to come back into midfield to attempt to jumpstart things, to no avail.

Can Canada qualify to the Round of 16?

The draw means that Canada are in real danger of suffering group stage elimination. 

The Canadian women are going to need at least a win in one of their next two group matches to have a shot at advancing. Given the run of form that Australia's Matildas are on, and the home-field advantage they enjoy as hosts, the best chance for a Canada win at this point is the next game against the Republic of Ireland.

But Ireland don't exactly present an antidote for Canada's attacking woes. The Irish are actually a better defensive team than Nigeria, and after making life difficult for Australia, who only beat the Irish on a penalty kick, Ireland will like their chances against the struggling Canadians.

Based purely on the performance put forth in their respective games, the Republic of Ireland have had the better start to the tournament between the two teams.

Already saddled with talk of a history of falling short at the World Cup, it will not be an easy spot for Canada to bounce back against a spirited Irish team on Wednesday, July 26.

MORE: Canada's World Cup schedule

Canada vs Nigeria live updates, highlights and commentary from Women's World Cup

Final: Canada 0-0 Nigeria

96th min.: Red card to Nigeria. After initially showing Deborah Abiodun a yellow card for a tackle on Ashley Lawrence, the referee uses video review to change her mind and show a red card instead. It's the right call, as Abiodun's studs came down on Lawrence's shin.

Watch in Canada:

Watch in USA:

90th min.: Eight minutes of stoppage time as Nigeria make their third and final sub, exhausting all three available windows.

81st min.: Chance Nigeria! Minutes after a hectic sequence in the Canada box, Nigeria get another chance on the break and Oshoala has a point-blank shot on goal, but Kailen Sheridan makes the miracle save. An offside flag was raised, but it would've been close on VAR review had the goal been scored.

Watch in Canada:

Watch in USA:

72nd min.: Penalty Canada? Jordyn Huitema raises her hand to indicate a potential handball by Nigeria in the box. But the referee let's play continue.

Replays show that the ball came off the Nigerian player's upper body. It may have touched the arm, but it was incidental. No penalty is the right call.

71st min.: SUBS Canada. Nigeria's Nnadozie stays in the game and Canada make two subs, as Christine Sinclair comes out.

Watch in USA:

69th min.: Injury stoppage. The Nigerian trainers come out to to check on Nnadozie's left knee. It would be a real blow to Nigeria if their star 'keeper can't continue.

66th min.: Chance Canada! Jordyn Huitema serves up the new sub and Evelyne Viens is quick-thinking and gets the shot off. But Nigeria 'keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie makes her second save of the game.

Watch in Canada

Watch in USA:

64th min.: SUB Canada. Evelyne Viens is on for Adriana Leon, as Canada's other starting winger is out of the match.

53rd min.: YELLOW card to Nigeria center-back Oluwatosin Demehin for a scything tackle on Jordyn Huitema. It's the right call. And finally, that's the first yellow from the Finnish referee Lina Lehtovaara.

50th min.: Penalty stop by Nigeria! Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie guesses right and stops it. Sinclair could have become the first player ever -- man or woman -- to score in six different World Cup tournaments.

Watch in Canada:

Watch in USA:

49th min.: Penalty Canada! The referee announces that it's a penalty and captain Christine Sinclair is stepping up to take it after drawing the foul.

47th min.: Penalty Canada? It looks like Christine Sinclair was clipped in the box. And the VAR signals for a review. Replays show that Francisca Ordega got her.

46th min.: Second half is underway. Canada's Cloe Lacasse is in for Deanne Rose. Lacasse should help with more ideas in attack.

Halftime: Canada 0-0 Nigeria

Halftime: Nigeria was the better team in that first half, and the Super Falcons outshot Canada 7-5 and got the only shot on goal of the first half.

It was not a great half from the No. 7-ranked Canadians, but this is the type of game that should have been expected without the likes of playmakers Janine Beckie and Jessie Fleming pulling the strings in the attack.

Julia Grosso can probably be more helpful closer to goal, attacking mid Christine Sinclair is not getting enough touches — and she's also a target of the Nigerian defenders in between the lines — and the Canada wingers (Adriana Leon and Deanne Rose) can't cause any problems so far. So there's work to do for Canada here. But there's something to look forward to for Canadian fans:

45th min.: Two minutes of stoppage time.

36th min.: Chance Nigeria! The Nigerians are getting in behind Canada, and Oshoala beats Sheridan, who came off her line to challenge. But first Gilles blocks it, and then Ashley Lawrence puts her body on the line to clear the ensuing loose ball.

Watch in Canada:

Watch in USA:

34th min.: Chances Nigeria! Another spell of attacks and dangerous corner kicks, which keeps Canada 'keeper Kailen Sheridan busy. But the Super Falcons can't take advantage of the momentum in this game.

29th min.: Chance Canada! A spell of positive play from Nigeria is interrupted by a quick Canada attack which ends with an Ashley Lawrence cross from the left and a Jordyn Huitema header that bounces wide.

It's noticeable that the crowd are behind Nigeria, getting extra excited for the Super Falcons' attacks.

23rd min.: Chance Nigeria! It's Ifeoma Onumonu with a low, curling shot from the outside of the box, but Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan tips it out for a corner. That was an important save. Nothing comes of the corner.

18th min.: The ref is clearly keeping the cards in her pocket. Nigeria right-back Alozie chopped down Jordyn Huitema along the sideline and that was deserving of a yellow card. But the card doesn't come out there either.

15th min.: Wow. Canada's Quinn are lucky not to see a card for a high, studs-up challenge on Nigeria's best player Oshoala. It's surprising the VAR doesn't ask the head referee to look at that on the monitor. It could've even been a red.

9th min.: Chance Canada! Christine Sinclair gets the ball 20 yards out in a central position and she's free to take a shot, but the effort just misses the top right corner.

7th min.: Nigeria are comfortably defending and they're not afraid to go in with some hard tackling and wild clearances. But Nigeria are giving the ball back right away. So Canada are enjoying the possession early on.

1st min.: We're off. Nigeria in green and Canada in red.

Kickoff

5 minutes from kickoff: Teams are on the pitch. Anthems up next.

25 minutes from kickoff: In case you didn't think this Canada team had a chip on its shoulder heading into this match, this is all you need to know coming from the captain Christine Sinclair.

40 minutes from kickoff: Canada are on the field for warmups. Kickoff is not far away.

1 hour from kickoff: Here's the Canada lineup. And the concerns for Jessie Fleming's help were founded. It'll be Quinn, Julia Grosso, and Christine Sinclair operating in midfield, with Sinclair likely as the more attack-minded of the trio.

1 hours, 30 mins. from kickoff: Here's a look at the stadium in Melbourne where Canada vs. Nigeria is taking place. It's called Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, but it's also known for its sponsor name AAMI Park.

2 hours from kickoff: Here's a breakdown of the Nigeria team and the threat they will be pose coming from someone who is picking them to get out of Group B:

Canada vs Nigeria lineups

Canada are already without two starters in Janine Beckie, who tore her ACL in March, and veteran Desiree Scott (knee injury), along with up-and-comer Jade Rose, as all three missed out on the final roster due to injury.

And in the lead-up to this match there was concern around key contributors Jessie Fleming, Deanne Rose, and Nichelle Prince, with manager Bev Priestman admitting all three are on a different training regimen because of recent injury issues. Only Rose makes the starting lineup with Fleming an important absence. Prince can still potentially come off the bench and offer a spark.

Canada starting lineup (4-2-3-1): 1-Sheridan (GK) — 8-Riviere, 3-Buchanan, 14-Gilles, 10-Lawrence — 5-Quinn, 7-Grosso — 6-Rose, 12-Sinclair, 19-Leon — 9-Huitema.

Canada subs (12): 18-D'Angelo (GK), 22-Proulx (GK), 4-Zadorsky, 2-Chapman, 16-Carle, 13-Schmidt, 17-Fleming, 21-Awujo, 20-Lacasse, 15-Prince, 23-Smith, 11-Viens

As indicated by reports from Nigerian outlets in the lead-up, the Super Falcons are missing two important players for the match in midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimat Ayinde after their red card suspension from the Women's AFCON tournament was deemed to carry over into this World Cup. It's why Nigeria will have only 10 subs available.

Nigeria starting lineup (4-1-4-1): 16-Nnadozie (GK) — 22-Alozie, 3-Ohale, 14-Demehin, 2-Plumptre — 10-Uchiebe, — 17-Ordega, 8-Oshoala, 7-Payne, 13-Abiodun — 6-Onumonu.

Nigeria subs (10): 1-Oluehi (GK), 23-Balogun (GK), 4-Ogbonna, 5-Ebi, 11-Monday, 21-Okoronkwo, 20-Imuran, 19-Echegini, 12-Kanu, 9-Oparanozie.

MORE: Nigeria squad for 2023 FIFA World Cup

Canada vs Nigeria live stream, TV channel

Here are the details for the live stream and TV channel to watch Canada vs. Nigeria in the 2023 FIFA World Cup for fans around the world, including those based in the USA and Canada:

  TV channel Streaming
USA Fox, Universo Fubo, Peacock, Universo NOW, Fox Sports site/app
UK BBC One BBC iPlayer, BBC website
Australia — Optus Sport
Canada TSN1/4, CTV, RDS TSN+, TSN site/app CTV site/app, RDS site/app
India DD Sports Fancode
New Zealand Sky Sport 1 NZ Sky Sport NOW, Sky Go
Singapore  — StarHub TV+
Hong Kong Now TV Viu TV

USA

  • TV channel: Fox, Universo
  • Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock (Spanish),

The match will be televised on Fox network channel in English and Universo in Spanish, with both channels streaming on Fubo, available to new users on a free trial.

Subscribers to cable, satellite, or telco packages can use those authenticated credentials to access a live stream on the Fox Sports site or app, and Universo NOW. A Spanish-language stream will also be available to subscribers of Peacock.

Canada

  • TV Channel: TSN1/4, CTV, RDS (French)
  • Live Stream: TSN+, TSN site/app, CTV site/app, RDS site/app

TSN, CTV and RDS are all carrying coverage of the 2023 Women's World Cup in Canada.

The Canada vs Nigeria match will be available to watch on TSN1 and TSN4, as well as CTV (TSN5 will also join the match in progress at 11:30 p.m. ET.). RDS will carry a French-language broadcast.

Every Canada match also features a one-hour pregame show.

For those looking to stream the action, TSN+, and the site and app for TSN, CTV, and RDS will carry all the action. The TSN site and app will also offer play-by-play in every language of every team in the competition.

Author(s)
Author Photo
Simon Borg
Simon Borg is a senior editor for football/soccer at The Sporting News.
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