Reigning Olympic gold medallists Canada pulled off a 2-1 comeback over Australia on Saturday ahead of the Summer Games.
Scorers: Freier 23′; Prince 41′, Viens 85′
The last time these two met, the Matildas humbled the Canadians 4-0 on home turf during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
This match, however, was a slow-paced game in Marbella, Spain, as these two sides toyed with new tactics on the pitch to see what works ahead of Paris 2024.
Instead of pacey runs and slick set pieces, goalkeeping errors led to the goals in this clash.
Australia opened the scoring when Sharn Freier was left wide open in the box and sent the ball under Kailen Sheridan’s legs, seeing it deflect awkwardly into the net.
Just before the break, a soft Cloe Lacasse cross was somehow spilled by Mackenzie Arnold and Nichelle Prince pounced to turn things 1-1.
It looked like nothing could separate the sides in the second half, though Canada finished the match with a staggering 19 shots to Australia’s one.
Eventually, they found the goal to complete the comeback when substitutes Gabrielle Carle and Evelyne Viens combined in the box, and the ball was struck into the far corner.
Canada will play in Group A alongside France, Colombia and New Zealand. Australia, meanwhile, are in Group B with the USA, Germany and Zambia.
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