Canada drops 4-3 decision to Denmark in women’s soccer friendly in Toronto

TORONTO – Head coach Casey Stoney has preached the need for more clinical finishing from the Canadian women’s soccer team.

Defensive lapses might be the more pressing area of concern.

Olivia Holdt scored twice and had an assist to lead Denmark to a 4-3 victory over Canada in an international friendly on Monday at BMO Field.

Pernille Harder and Janni Thomsen also tallied for the visitors, who took advantage of some sloppy defending to blitz the hosts with three goals in a nine-minute span in the opening half.

“They made us pay for all of our mistakes,” said Canadian forward Evelyne Viens. “It was pretty clear.”

Viens, Olivia Smith and Delaney Pridham scored for Canada in front of an announced crowd of 12,112 on a warm, mostly sunny afternoon at the lakefront stadium.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw on Friday in Montreal. Smith scored a late equalizer for the hosts in that game and Canada won the unofficial shootout 4-2.

On Monday, the ninth-ranked Canadians started with a 4-2-3-1 formation while the 12th-ranked Danes went with a 3-4-3. Kailen Sheridan started in net for Canada and Jessie Fleming wore the captain’s armband.

Pridham opened the scoring in the 10th minute after Kaylee Hunter headed the ball low into a packed penalty area. Pridham swivelled and beat goalkeeper Freja Thisgaard for her first goal with the women’s senior team.

“I was just ready, back to goal, turned and just hit it in,” Pridham said. “I think I caught the goalie off guard.”

Canada kept the pressure on and was nearly rewarded moments later when Smith’s shot from outside the area glanced off Thisgaard and hit the post.

Defensive miscues contributed to the Denmark scoring surge that started in the 24th minute.

Holdt took possession of a loose ball after Canada’s Julia Grosso couldn’t corral a pass from defender Kadeisha Buchanan at midfield. The Danish forward took a few strides inside the halfway line and launched a shot that sailed over Sheridan’s head and bounced into the net.

An errant pass attempt by Buchanan moments later created another turnover. A strike from Sofie Bredgaard hit the crossbar but Denmark controlled the rebound and Harder beat Sheridan in the 27th minute.

In the 32nd minute, Ashley Lawrence’s pass to Jade Rose was turned over down low and the ball found its way to an open Holdt, who earned her first international brace.

“I think there were some off-moments tonight that cost us dearly,” Stoney said.

The tempo picked up in the second half as Pridham and Buchanan came off for Viens and Shelina Zadorsky.

Canada cut the deficit in the 49th minute after some heady work by Smith, who found Viens at the top of the area. Viens made a sliding shot attempt that deflected off a defender and bounced high off the grass and into the top corner.

Thomsen restored Denmark’s two-goal cushion in the 61st minute as she coolly slotted a ball between two defenders and past Sheridan.

Smith scored from outside the box in the 70th minute. Her strike was misplayed by Thisgaard, who got down low to gather the ball but had it roll between her legs and over the line.

Stoney is still seeking her first victory against a top-15 opponent since taking over as Canada coach in January 2025.

The friendlies served as a measuring stick ahead of Canada’s opening match against No. 54 Panama at the CONCACAF W Championship on Nov. 28.

The tournament is a qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Denmark has already qualified for the World Cup after finishing atop its UEFA qualifying group.

Left back Allysha Chapman came on in the 89th minute for her 100th and final international appearance for Canada. She was feted during a ceremony after the game.

Fleming, Buchanan and Lawrence were honoured before the game for reaching 150 career international appearances. At halftime, Melissa Tancredi was acknowledged for her induction into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.

Canada fell to 3-4-1 in eight all-time meetings against Denmark.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 12, 2026.