Matildas main group rival suffers shock World Cup result

A fiery opening World Cup match between two of Australia’s group rivals ended in a draw that offers a boost to the Matildas.

Christine Sinclair reacts on the ground after missing a penalty during Canada’s draw with Nigeria in Melbourne. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Australia’s Matildas have been handed a surprise boost in their bid to top their group and reach the knockout stage at the 2023 Women’s World Cup with the best possible seeding.

Less than 24 hours after an Australian side missing star striker Sam Kerr secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Ireland, underdogs Nigeria held heavily fancied Canada to a 0-0 draw in Melbourne.

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Canada, the world No.7 and reigning Olympic champions, were expected to be Australia’s main threat for top spot in Group B and comfortably see off world No.40 Nigeria.

But their surprise draw leaves Australia clear on three points, with Canada and Nigeria on one point and Ireland on zero with two group matches remaining each.

The top two teams after the group stages progress to the knockout round and finishing top of the group will be key for match-ups for the remainder of the tournament.

Canada's forward Christine Sinclair reacts on the ground after missing a penalty during the World Cup match against Nigeria at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Canadian veteran Christine Sinclair had a penalty saved in the match, while Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun pick up the first red card of this Women’s World Cup.

The 40-year-old skipper Sinclair is hoping to make history in Australia and New Zealand by becoming the first player to score at six World Cups.

But she missed the chance to reach that milestone in Melbourne as her penalty early in the second half was saved by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

With few clear chances otherwise, that allowed the Super Falcons to come away with a morale-boosting draw in Group B.

Canada have never gone beyond the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup but are hoping to go deep into this year’s tournament on the back of winning gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

🏴FULL TIME! in Melbourne 📍

Nigeria 🇳🇬 0-0 Canada 🇨🇦

We made a brave start to our ninth campaign on the global stage with a draw against the Olympics champions despite finishing the encounter with 10 players in Melbourne 📍#NGACAN#FIFAWWC#SoarSuperFalconspic.twitter.com/FZikeh90Sz

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 21, 2023

However, they had a disrupted build-up as the team threatened to strike over pay, funding and contractual issues.

They are also missing key players due to injury and perhaps continue to rely too heavily on Sinclair, the all-time top scorer in international football.

Nigeria are appearing at their ninth World Cup but were themselves embroiled in controversy in the build-up as the team clashed with their national federation over bonuses.

They had even threatened to boycott their opening game, but Randy Waldrum’s team produced a spirited performance that gives them hope of matching their run to the last 16 four years ago in France.

Nigerian players celebrate after the final whistle. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Star striker Asisat Oshoala was unable to shine but the Nigerian defence gave away little against the Canadian attack.

The key moment came shortly after half-time, when a spot-kick was awarded following a VAR check for a foul by Francisca Ordega on Sinclair.

Sinclair dusted herself down to take the penalty but her kick was poor and Nnadozie was able to make the save.

Abiodun was dismissed deep in stoppage time at the end of the game after another VAR review, a yellow card being upgraded to red.

Replays showed her catching Ashley Lawrence with her studs above the ankle in a nasty challenge.

With AFP