Olympic champions Canada and Nigeria’s Super Falcons drew 0-0 to open the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, the goalkeeper, became the contest’s hero after stopping Christine Sinclair’s penalty early in the second half of the Brisbane encounter.
Deborah Abiodun, a midfielder for the Falcons, was also dismissed late in the game for a reckless foul.
Despite Canada’s early dominance, the Nigerian women came near to scoring in the 23rd minute when Ifeoma Onumonu’s well-placed drive was parried away by goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
Jordyn Huitema of Canada missed the goal with her header from a cross five minutes later. Both teams ended the first half without creating any potentially hazardous situations.
Francisca Ordega’s foul on Christine Sinclair in the box resulted in a penalty kick for Canada to start the second half, which was unfortunate for the Falcons.
However, Nnadozie stepped up to stop Sinclair’s subsequent penalty. Seven minutes later, the Canadians nearly scored again, but Adriana Leon’s deft free kick flew wide of the goal.
They kept moving forward and came close to scoring, but Nnadozie blocked a left-foot shot.
Substitute Onumonu crossed, and Uchenna Kanu connected, but the keeper made a close-range stop and the offside flag was raised. Tosin Demehin made a great block to stop a goal-bound attempt with five minutes remaining. Up next for the Falcons are hosts Australia on Thursday, July 27.
