Canada draws opening World Cup match after missed penalty by Sinclair

Canada will need more from their final two group stage matches in order to make a World Cup impact.

In their opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Canadian national team played to a 0-0 draw at Australia’s Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Canada’s most clear-cut scoring opportunity came by way of a 50th-minute penalty, with captain Christine Sinclair put up to task for the kick.

But Sinclair’s shot — directed at the bottom right corner — was saved by Chimaka Nnadozie, and despite a series of other chances, was the closest Canada would come to scoring in the evening.

SINCLAIR MISSES THE PENALTY!

The Canadian captain can't get her country's first goal of the tournament from the penalty spot after a great save from Chiamaka Nnadozie.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/XvDRPL5IZ1

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 21, 2023

Sinclair had a possibility to score a goal at her sixth World Cup — which would’ve been a record for either the men’s or women’s editions of the tournament — but she was unable to complete the feat.

In five previous tournaments for Canada, dating back to 2003, Sinclair has netted 10 goals at the World Cup, just a fraction of the record-setting 190 international goals she’s scored in a Canadian shirt.

Christine Sinclair after missing the chance to score in her sixth World Cup 😲 pic.twitter.com/0EFnBbIBqz

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 21, 2023

Sinclair was later subbed out in the 71st minute for Sophie Schmidt, one of five changes made by Canadian head coach Bev Priestman.

Canada controlled the vast majority of the possession, though the team wasn’t able to convert any of their attacking playing into a match-winner.

Canada had 68% possession — and outshot Nigeria 16-13, including three shots on target to Nigeria’s one — but Sinclair’s shot from the spot stood out as their best chance on the day.

Canada was without star midfielder Jessie Fleming, who was announced out of the starting lineup just over an hour before kickoff. It’s not 100% clear what sort of injury Fleming is dealing with, but she has been a limited participant in the team’s training over the past week.

Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun picked up a red card late in the match for a tough challenge after review, though the team played a player down for only a few minutes before the final whistle.

Deborah Abiodun has been handed a red card in extra time.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/DROs0DvSYL

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 21, 2023

Canada, currently ranked seventh in the world, is aiming to make its third straight knockout round and prove to the world that the team’s Olympic gold in 2021 was no fluke.

Canada’s next match is against Ireland on Wednesday in Perth, before heading back to Melbourne to take on the co-host Australians on July 31.

Australia beat Ireland 1-0 on Thursday in the opening match of Group B.