Canada misses crucial penalty to draw with Nigeria at Women’s World Cup

The Women’s World Cup had its first result without scoring at dawn this Friday (21), the confrontation valid for the second match of Group B put Nigeria and Canada in search of the first points within the competition. Despite the dedication present on both sides, the teams were unable to go from zero to zero at the Melbourne Rectangular stadium. The Canadian team missed the biggest opportunity of the game, in a penalty kick made by Sinclair, Nnadozie avoided the Nigerian defeat.

Balanced first half

The initial stage of the confrontation had an alternation in the control of the actions for most of the game, but the Canadians started better, mainly in the talent of Lawrence who threatened the opposing defense on the left side. Canada’s number 10 created his team’s first opportunity in the 8th minute, adjusting for Sinclair at the edge of the area, the finish going over the Nigerian goal. The African team even managed to recover from the dominance imposed by the opponent, balancing the match as the minutes went by and forcing Nnadozie to intervene with a poisonous shot from distance.

Canada missed the game’s big chance

The second half maintained the balance seen during the opening half. At 4 minutes, Sinclair received a free pass from Lacasse inside the opponent’s area, the player cut Ordega in a short dribble but ended up knocked down in the next move. After no arbitration marking the bid, the VAR review ended up being necessary, marking the penalty. The leader and top scorer in Canada went to the penalty spot and wasted her great chance, saved by Nnadozie, who still managed to recover on the rebound.

Even missing a golden opportunity, the Canadians did not reduce the intensity and got another chance in the attack. Viens managed to break through after a header into the penalty area, but ended up again in the Nigerian goalkeeper. The African team even tried to recover in the confrontation again, but suffered from physical fatigue, leaving the actions to the opponent and guaranteeing the match with its captain.

Even wasting the chance of their top scorer scoring in their sixth World Cup, the Canadian team continues with expectations during the competition. The two teams added a point in Group B and remain level, trailing only hosts Australia, who beat Ireland. The Nigerians celebrated their captain’s man of the match award and plan a similar performance in the next round against the Australians, while Canada faces Ireland.

Featured Photo: Players from Nigeria and Canada during the match. Reproduction/Gettyimages