Skip to content

Canada bows out of World Cup with demoralizing loss to Sweden

Joosep Martinson - FIFA / FIFA / Getty

Canada's run at the Women's World Cup ended in dispiriting fashion on Monday, as a 1-0 loss to Sweden saw the Canadians bow out of the competition in the round of 16.

Stina Blackstenius scored the lone goal of the contest in the 55th minute, capping off a quick counterattack that set up a quarterfinal meeting with Germany later this week.

Canada struggled to create chances throughout the match, a theme during the tournament for Kenneth Heiner-Moller's side. The Canadians were gifted a golden opportunity to equalize in the 69th minute, but veteran Swedish 'keeper Hedvig Lindahl turned aside Janine Beckie's penalty.

That was Canada's only notable chance.

Immediately after the defeat, many wondered why captain Christine Sinclair, the iconic striker who has racked up 182 goals during her storied international career, didn't take Canada's late spot kick.

Following the final whistle, Beckie said Sinclair approached her and asked if she wanted to shoot.

"That'll stay with me for a long time," she said of the moment, which ended with Lindahl making an excellent diving save low to her right side.

"They figured it out themselves," Heiner-Moller confirmed during a post-match interview with TSN. "We have three or four players who can take them."

Canada, ranked fifth in the world, came into the World Cup with lofty expectations, with the 36-year-old Sinclair calling this team the best the nation has ever produced. But despite the squad's talent, Canada never put together a dominant attacking performance, consistently struggling to craft scoring opportunities.

Canada managed only two shots on target in Monday's loss, including the penalty.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox