Defending Olympic champions Canada were forced to come from behind to beat a plucky New Zealand side 2-1 win in their opening group game in France.
The Football Ferns went ahead early but were under the pump for much of the game.
The Canadians enjoyed 60% of ball possession and had 15 shots to New Zealand’s four in the match at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in St Etienne.
New Zealand took the lead in the 13th minute with a well-executed set play from a corner.
Midfielder Katie Kitching fired in a low cross that Mackenzie Barry — a surprise selection at left back — controlled, swivelled and struck high into the net.
Main photo: The Ferns mob goalscorer Mackenzie Barry after they take the lead.
The Canadians were stunned but progressively played themselves into the game, always looking dangerous and forcing the Ferns to backpedal.
New Zealand did well to hold out their opponents but as the half-time whistle neared, the Canadians scored a deserved equaliser.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Cloe Lacasse lunged at a ball into the New Zealand penalty area, and it ricocheted off a defender and into the net.
The Tokyo gold medalists began the second half as the aggressor, pushing New Zealand back and dominating possession.
Goalkeeper Anna Leat kept the Kiwis level with a superb save on the hour, palming a Quinn header to safety after a Canadian free kick.
Ashley Lawrence had a clear chance for Canada in the 73rd minute, lashing her shot into the New Zealand side netting.
The New Zealanders defended with passion, led by the central pairing of Rebekah Stott, playing her 103rd full international, and captain Katie Bowen, playing at her third Olympic Games.
But they couldn’t hold out the Canadians.
In the 79th minute, captain Jessie Fleming threaded a long through-ball into the path of substitute Evelyne Viens who swept her shot wide of Leat and into the far corner of the net.
New Zealand were feeding on scraps of possession but created a late chance when Indiah-Paige Riley was brought down on the edge of the Canadian area in the 85th minute.
Kitching curled the resulting direct free kick wide of the target.
In stoppage time, Gabi Rennie’s shot appeared to strike the underneath of a defender’s arm but appeals for a penalty were ignored.
Then, substitute Michaela Foster fired a shot from 25 metres over the bar.
At the other end, Viens had another clear chance but fired her shot straight at goalkeeper Leat.
Of concern for New Zealand, a distressed Macey Fraser limped off the pitch after appearing to suffer a lower leg injury late in added time.
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Results
Games played on Friday July 26, 2024 (NZT)
Canada 2 (Cloe Lacasse 45+4′, Evelyne Viens 79′)
New Zealand 1 (Mackenzie Barry 13′)
France 3 (Marie-Antoinette Katoto 6′, 42, Kenza Dali 18′)
Colombia 2 (Manuela Pavi 64′, Catalina Usme 54′ pen)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Monday July 29, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v Colombia
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 3am (NZT)
France v Canada
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, 7am (NZT)
Games to be played on Thursday August 1, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v France
Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu, 7am (NZT)
Colombia v Canada
Stade de Nice, Nice, 7am (NZT)
This story was first published on July 26, 2024.
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