Olivia Smith netted a crucial goal late in the match, securing a 1-1 draw for Canada against Denmark in the first of a series of international women’s soccer friendlies between the two teams. The ninth-ranked Canadian team struggled to find the back of the net until Arsenal striker Smith unleashed a shot from her left foot, beating Danish goalkeeper Alberte Vingum in the 84th minute at Stade Saputo in Montreal, witnessed by a crowd of 10,162.
Denmark, ranked 12th, took the lead in the 24th minute through a goal by Bayern Munich star and national team captain Pernille Harder on a chilly 9-degree Celsius night. Despite numerous attempts, it was only in the dying moments of the game that Canada managed to level the score, with Julia Grosso hitting the crossbar in injury time before Smith’s equalizer.
After the 1-1 draw, Canada edged out Denmark 4-2 in an unofficial penalty shootout to clinch victory. The two teams are set to face each other again in another friendly on Monday in Toronto. This match marked Canada’s first home game since June 2025 and their first meeting with a top-15 opponent since coach Casey Stoney took charge in January 2025.
The upcoming match in Toronto will be significant for left back Allysha Chapman, who will mark her 100th and final appearance for Canada. These friendlies serve as preparation for Canada’s quarterfinal match against Panama on Nov. 28 at the CONCACAF W Championship, a key qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Denmark has already secured a spot in this summer’s World Cup after topping their UEFA qualifying group.
Canada played without experienced defender Vanessa Gilles, sidelined due to a muscle injury, while Kadeisha Buchanan missed the match despite being with the team. The Canadian side dominated possession and had more shot attempts than Denmark but had to settle for a draw in the end. The game saw a flurry of substitutions by Coach Stoney as Canada pushed for the equalizer, with Smith eventually finding the net.
With this result, Canada’s all-time record against Denmark stands at 3 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. The last time these two sides met was in 2017 when Canada emerged victorious with a 1-0 win at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.
