Smith scores late equalizer as Canada salvages 1-1 draw with Denmark

MONTREAL – Canada’s game plan was simple when trailing Denmark in the second half: get the ball to Olivia Smith, then get out of the way.

The Arsenal forward came on as a substitute and scored a late equalizer to help Canada salvage a 1-1 draw with Denmark on Friday in the first of two international women’s soccer friendlies between the sides.

“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?” Canada coach Casey Stoney said.

“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.”

The ninth-ranked Canadians dominated the run of play but struggled to find a breakthrough until Smith cut to the outside and unleashed a left-footed strike across goal, beating Danish goalkeeper Alberte Vingum in the 84th minute for her sixth senior international goal.

The 22-year-old from Whitby, Ont., then raced to the touchline to celebrate with her teammates in front of a crowd of 10,162 at Stade Saputo.

“Liv is incredible. I love playing with her. She’s just special and she’s so good on the ball,” Canadian attacking midfielder Marie-Yasmine Alidou said pitchside. “She wants to make the difference and that’s why it makes her the player she is.”

Bayern Munich star and national team captain Pernille Harder opened the scoring for 12th-ranked Denmark in the 24th minute on a brisk 9 C night.

Julia Grosso nearly scored the go-ahead goal for Canada in injury time, hitting the crossbar before Vingum denied a close-range chance from Smith. Canadian substitute keeper Sabrina D’Angelo then made a last-gasp save on a blistering volley from Janni Thomsen in a hectic ending. Canada later beat Denmark on unofficial penalty kicks, 4-2, to finish the evening.

The Canadians controlled much of the match, holding 69 per cent possession with a 21-9 edge in shot attempts (6-6 on target).

“There were some really positive moments,” Stoney said. “It looked like there was only going to be one team to win the game going towards the end, albeit we gave up a sloppy moment at the end.”

The singular goal also left Canada’s coach wanting more.

“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.”

Canada and Denmark meet again Monday at Toronto’s BMO Field. The friendlies serve as a measuring stick ahead of Canada’s quarterfinal against Panama on Nov. 28 at the CONCACAF W Championship, a qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Denmark has already punched its ticket to this summer’s World Cup after finishing atop its UEFA qualifying group ahead of Sweden, Serbia and Italy.

Friday’s match was Canada’s first on home soil since June 2025. While the Canadians have performed well against lower-tier opponents under Stoney, the women’s national team is still seeking its first victory against a top-15 opponent since she took over in January 2025.

The home side nearly opened the scoring in the first minute when Alidou broke in on goal, only to have her close-range volley denied by starting Danish goalkeeper Maja Bay Østergaard.

Denmark almost capitalized on a gift in the 13th minute when Harder intercepted a risky pass from Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan inside the box. Sheridan recovered, however, diving to deny Olivia Holdt’s strike.

The visitors made no mistake on the counterattack 11 minutes later. Amalie Vangsgaard sprinted down the right flank before centring a pass through the legs of Canadian centre back Shelina Zadorsky and into the penalty area, where Harder slotted home her 86th goal for Denmark.

Stoney made a total of 10 substitutions in the second half as Canada searched for the equalizer.

Fullback Janine Sonis couldn’t convert a pair of chances, first from a free kick on the edge of the box before sending a low volley wide. AFC Toronto forward Kaylee Hunter also had a look after Smith found her with a beautiful ball over the back line, but a Danish defender blocked her attempt.

Smith, who joined Arsenal from Liverpool last year for a then-world record transfer fee of one million pounds, then took it into her own hands to help secure the well-earned draw.

“She’s an unbelievable player,” Canadian forward Delaney Baie 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 and have that goal for her to get us tied up.”

Canada now holds a 3-3-1 all-time record against Denmark.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2026.