World Cup Recap: Canada and Nigeria Split Points

In their opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World cup, Canada and Nigeria battled to a scoreless draw at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. OL Reign midfielder Quinn and forward Jordyn Huitema started the match for Canada and played all 90 minutes, earning their 90th and 65th cap, respectively. 

As the Group B match began, Canada was on the front foot, finding several attacking opportunities in the first 20 minutes of the match. However, Nigeria soon picked up offensively, putting Canada under a bit of pressure to defend. 

In the 29th minute of the match, Quinn began a passing sequence with a great turn in the midfield before passing the ball off to midfielder Julia Grosso. Grosso sent the ball out wide to fullback Ashley Lawrence, who took one touch to beat her defender and serve a cross into the box. Huitema was at the back post and got her head on the end of the cross, but the ball ultimately went wide of the net. 

As the half was winding down, Nigeria had a good chance on the goal, but Quinn’s head kept the ball off the target and the scores level at zero going into halftime. 

The second half started with action, as Canada was awarded a penalty kick just minutes in after video review determined Nigeria had committed a foul on Christine Sinclair in the box. Sinclair stepped up to take the kick in the 50th minute, but her low shot was saved by a diving Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal for Nigeria, and the game went on deadlocked at 0-0.  

Quinn continued to standout in the match, controlling the center of the field and making a crucial block on a Nigerian shot in the 75th minute. 

Coming to a close, the game continued to bring the action. In the final minute of the match, our OL Reign players nearly connected to find a goal, but Quinn’s lofted ball to the back post didn’t connect with Huitema quite right. 

Eight minutes into stoppage time, Nigerian player Deborah Abiodun, who initially received a yellow card for a challenge was upgraded to a red card via video review and sent off the field. As time dwindled, Canada was up a player and continued to push for a goal. Nine minutes into stoppage time, Quinn created one more opportunity, lofting yet another ball into the box, but no one could cleanly connect with it. 

At the final whistle, the match ended 0-0 and each team earned a point. The two sides are also now tied for second place in Group B behind group leaders Australia after the co-hosts won their opening match over the Republic of Ireland. 

For their performance in the match, Quinn earned Canada’s Performance of the Match award.

NEXT UP FOR CANADA: Next Wednesday, July 26, Canada is set to take on the Republic of Ireland at 5:00 a.m. PT at Perth Rectangular Stadium. The match can be watched on FS1 (Fox Sports 1), Telemundo or Peacock.  

GROUP B STANDINGS: 

Each team has played one match. 

1. Australia (3 points, +1 goal differential) 

2. Canada (1 point, 0 goal differential) 

3. Nigeria (1 point, 0 goal differential) 

4. Republic of Ireland (0 points, -1 goal differential)