Soccer

Olivia Smith's late goal earns Canada a draw with Denmark in Montreal

The 1-1 result came in the first of two friendlies as Canada prepares for CONCACAF W Championship.

Sam Poulin · Soccer Writer
October 10, 2026 · More from this writer

Explainer

Olivia Smith scored an 84th-minute equalizer as Canada's women's soccer team drew Denmark 1-1 in a friendly match on Friday. The ninth-ranked Canadians salvaged the result in front of 10,162 fans at Stade Saputo in Montreal. Denmark's captain Pernille Harder had opened the scoring in the 24th minute. The match concluded with an unofficial penalty shootout, which Canada won 4-2. The two sides will meet again on Monday at Toronto's BMO Field.

Canada controlled much of the play, holding 69 per cent of possession and outshooting Denmark 21-9. The team's game plan in the second half was simple, according to head coach Casey Stoney. "It was just about, how can we get her the ball as many times as possible? And how can we create the space for her to be able to get on the ball?" Stoney said of Smith. "She is a difference maker. She's got ability in one-on-one situations and the ability to score goals, and she looked like she was having fun."

How did the match unfold?

Canada nearly opened the scoring in the first minute when Marie-Yasmine Alidou broke in on goal, but her close-range volley was denied by Danish goalkeeper Maja Bay Østergaard. Denmark almost capitalized on a Canadian mistake in the 13th minute when Harder intercepted a risky pass from goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan inside the box, but Sheridan recovered to dive and deny Olivia Holdt's strike. The visitors scored on a counterattack in the 24th minute. Amalie Vangsgaard sprinted down the right flank before centring a pass through the legs of Canadian defender Shelina Zadorsky, and Harder slotted home her 86th international goal.

Canada's captain Jessie Fleming nearly equalized in the 34th minute, sending a shot over the crossbar. Stoney made 10 substitutions in the second half as Canada searched for the equalizer. Defender Janine Sonis could not convert a free kick and a low volley, and a chance for Kaylee Hunter was blocked. Smith, a 22-year-old substitute from Whitby, Ont., finally broke through in the 84th minute, cutting to her left foot and firing a shot across goal past goalkeeper Alberte Vingum. "Liv is incredible. I love playing with her. She's just special and she's so good on the ball," Alidou said.

What happened in the frantic finish?

Injury time featured a hectic sequence of events. Julia Grosso nearly scored the go-ahead goal for Canada, hitting the crossbar before Vingum denied a close-range chance from Smith. Canadian substitute goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo then made a last-gasp save on a blistering volley from Denmark's Janni Thomsen. The match ended 1-1, leading to an unofficial penalty shootout to conclude the evening. Canada converted all four of its attempts, while Denmark hit the post and skied a shot, giving Canada a 4-2 win in the shootout.

Stoney noted the team's need for sharper finishing despite creating chances. "We do need to be more clinical. I feel like a broken record, I keep saying that, but we do," she said. "But I would say we've deep-dived into quality chances created against these types of opponents over the last two years, and this probably would have been the highest that we've had in terms of that. And they defended their box really well, you have to give them credit."

What is the context for these friendlies?

This was Canada's first match on home soil since June 2025 and its first game overall since a 6-0 win over Costa Rica in June. Under Stoney, who took over in January 2025, the team is still seeking its first victory against a top-15 opponent. The friendlies against 12th-ranked Denmark serve as preparation for the CONCACAF W Championship. Canada faces Panama in a quarterfinal on Nov. 28 in Mansfield, Texas, a match that is a qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Denmark has already qualified for this summer's World Cup after finishing atop its UEFA qualifying group. Canada played without veteran defender Vanessa Gilles, who withdrew due to a muscle injury. Fellow centre back Kadeisha Buchanan also missed the match despite joining the camp. The all-time record between the two nations now stands at three wins, three losses and one draw.

The second friendly against Denmark is scheduled for Monday afternoon at BMO Field in Toronto. That match will mark the 100th and final appearance for longtime Canadian left back Allysha Chapman. The focus then shifts to the CONCACAF W Championship in November. Stoney expressed confidence in her team's readiness. "From what I saw in the second half tonight, we're more than ready. I thought there was some really positive moments," she said. Forward Delaney Baie Pridham praised Smith's impact. "She's an unbelievable player," Pridham said. "Such an amazing shot, she hits those in training all the time, and obviously everyone knows how talented she is at club (level), so happy for her to bring that internationally."

With files from CBC News, Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail