Smith's Late Goal Gives Canada a Boost Ahead of Crucial Qualifiers

In the 84th minute, Arsenal forward Olivia Smith cut inside and fired a left‑footed shot past Danish keeper Alberte Vingum, rescuing a 1‑1 draw with 12th‑ranked Denmark. The match was a friendly, the first of two meetings, with a return game set for Toronto.

Canada, ranked ninth, has not beaten a top‑15 side since head coach Casey Stoney took charge in January 2025. Denmark, sitting at 12th, has already secured a place in the upcoming World Cup.

The friendlies act as a measuring stick before Canada’s quarter‑final against Panama at the CONCACAF W Championship on Nov. 28, a key qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A hard‑fought draw shows the squad can match higher‑ranked teams, while also exposing moments that need sharpening.

Beyond the score, Canada dominated possession (69 %) and enjoyed a clear shot advantage, suggesting the team can control games even when goals are scarce. The upcoming Toronto test will let Stoney fine‑tune tactics ahead of the decisive qualifier.

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