Canada’s women’s soccer team showcased their experience in Friday’s friendly against Iceland, with seasoned players like Janine Beckie, Ashley Lawrence, Shelina Zadorsky, Nichelle Prince, and Adriana Leon contributing a combined 572 international appearances. Despite their collective efforts, the match ended in a goalless draw. (Julio Cortez/Associated Press/File)
Canada's women’s soccer team settled for a 0-0 draw against Iceland in a friendly match at the Pinatar Arena on Friday. Despite their sixth-place world ranking, the Canadian squad struggled to capitalize on their dominance over 19th-ranked Iceland, setting the stage for their upcoming match against South Korea on Tuesday.
The game offered limited excitement as both teams found it difficult to generate quality scoring opportunities. Canada had 57% possession and out shot Iceland 14-10, with both sides managing only four shots on target.
A Balanced First Half
Canada began strongly in the opening half, controlling possession and territory. Defender Vanessa Gilles and fullback Jayde Riviere provided accurate passes, but their efforts failed to translate into concrete changes. Iceland, ranked 13th globally, defended compactly and relied on counterattacks, one of which nearly broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. However, Canadian goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo courageously thwarted the threat, sustaining a leg injury in the process.
At halftime, Iceland had grown into the game, while Canada held a slim edge in shots (5-3). The physicality of the match mirrored the style Iceland was known for, and interim coach Cindy Tye praised her team's ability to cope with the pressure, highlighting the clean sheet as a key takeaway.
Youth Steps Up in the Second Half
The second half saw Lysianne Proulx make her senior team debut in goal, replacing D’Angelo due to her injury. Proulx made an impressive leg save in the 53rd minute, denying Iceland’s Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir.
Canada introduced substitutes Jessie Fleming and Olivia Smith in the 67th minute, injecting energy into the team. Smith, a 20-year-old Liverpool forward, nearly broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, while Deanne Rose, another substitute, fired a shot over the bar in the 75th minute.
Building Momentum Amid Challenges
This match was Canada’s second outing since their disappointing quarterfinal exit in the Paris Olympics. Earlier in October, they secured a 1-1 draw with third-ranked Spain. Iceland, meanwhile, had recently lost two closely contested matches against the top-ranked United States.
Iceland showcased their growth, having performed strongly in qualifying for the 2025 UEFA Women’s Championship, highlighted by a historic 3-0 win over Germany. The Iceland squad included players from prestigious clubs like Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, and Inter Milan.
Leadership and Lineup Adjustments
With a roster featuring 772 combined caps, Canada was led by Ashley Lawrence, who donned the captain’s armband for the first time in her 140th appearance. The team was without key veterans like Kadeisha Buchanan and Jordyn Huitema, adding to the challenges faced by interim coach Cindy Tye, who is temporarily at the helm while Canada Soccer searches for a permanent head coach.
The Canadian team will aim to refine their attacking strategy against South Korea, hoping to end their international window on a high note.
