Canada women's soccer team falls to Denmark 4-3 in friendly

TORONTO — Olivia Holdt scored twice and had an assist to lead Denmark to a 4-3 victory over the Canadian women's soccer team in an international friendly on Monday at BMO Field.

Pernille Harder and Janni Thomsen also tallied for the 12th-ranked visitors, who took advantage of sloppy defending to blitz the hosts with three goals in a nine-minute span in the opening half.

"They made us pay for all of our mistakes," said Canadian forward Evelyne Viens. "It was pretty clear."

READ MORE: Canada men's soccer team begins new cycle with friendly against Chile

READ MORE: Whitecaps settle for draw with D.C. United after defensive lapses

Viens, Olivia Smith and Delaney Pridham scored for the ninth-ranked Canadians in front of an announced crowd of 12,112 on a warm, mostly sunny afternoon.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw on Friday in Montreal, where Smith scored a late equalizer and Canada won the unofficial shootout 4-2.

Pridham opened the scoring in the 10th minute after Kaylee Hunter headed the ball low into a packed penalty area.

"I was just ready, back to goal, turned and just hit it in," Pridham said. "I think I caught the goalie off guard."

Canada kept the pressure on and was nearly rewarded moments later when Smith's shot from outside the area glanced off goalkeeper Freja Thisgaard and hit the post.

Defensive miscues contributed to the Denmark scoring surge that started in the 24th minute.

Holdt took possession of a loose ball after Canada's Julia Grosso couldn't corral a pass from defender Kadeisha Buchanan at midfield and launched a shot that sailed over goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.

An errant pass attempt by Buchanan moments later created another turnover, leading to Harder's goal in the 27th minute.

In the 32nd minute, Ashley Lawrence's pass to Jade Rose was turned over down low and the ball found its way to an open Holdt, who earned her first international brace.

"I think there were some off-moments tonight that cost us dearly," said head coach Casey Stoney.

The tempo picked up in the second half as Pridham and Buchanan came off for Viens and Shelina Zadorsky.

Canada cut the deficit in the 49th minute after some heady work by Smith, who found Viens at the top of the area for a sliding shot that deflected off a defender and into the top corner.

Thomsen restored Denmark's two-goal cushion in the 61st minute as she coolly slotted a ball between two defenders and past Sheridan.

Smith scored from outside the box in the 70th minute when her strike was misplayed by Thisgaard, who let it roll between her legs and over the line.

Stoney is still seeking her first victory against a top-15 opponent since taking over as Canada coach in January 2025.

The friendlies served as a measuring stick ahead of Canada’s opening match against No. 54 Panama at the CONCACAF W Championship on Nov. 28.

The tournament is a qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Chapman's final appearance

Left back Allysha Chapman came on in the 89th minute for her 100th and final international appearance for Canada and was feted during a ceremony after the game.

Jessie Fleming, Buchanan and Lawrence were honoured before the game for reaching 150 career international appearances.

At halftime, Melissa Tancredi was acknowledged for her induction into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.

Canada fell to 3-4-1 in eight all-time meetings against Denmark.

With files from The Canadian Press, Sportsnet and CBC News