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Marie-Yasmine Alidou celebrates her goal for Canada against Spain. (Photo: Canada Soccer)
RECAP: CanWNT denied first-ever win over Spain after conceding late equalizer
2024-10-25
by
Benedict Rhodes, CanPL.ca Contributor (@BTFR17)
Canada Soccer CANWNT National Teams

Final Score: Spain 1-1 Canada
Goalscorers: Martín-Prieto 89′; Alidou 49′
International Friendly

Marie-Yasmine Alidou’s first goal for the Canadian women’s national team wasn’t enough to defeat reigning World Cup winners Spain on Friday, as a late goal from Cristina Martín-Prieto saw the hosts pick up a dramatic draw in Almendralejo.

Spain started the game on the front foot and it largely stayed that way, pinning Canada in their own half for much of the match. Teresa Abelleira was the first player to hit the target with a shot, testing Kailen Sheridan with a well-struck effort from distance, but the Canadian goalkeeper made a great save to keep the game scoreless.

A few minutes later, Alba Redondo hit the target as well from the edge of the penalty area, but didn’t hit the ball cleanly and Sheridan pounced on it for a routine stop. Canada’s first real sight of goal came in the 18th minute, when Janine Beckie attempted a low shot from distance when Cata Coll came way out of the Spanish net and left it exposed. Beckie’s shot trickled wide of the left post, a yard or two from the opener.

Abelleira tried another long range missile in the 24th minute, but this time it didn’t dip enough and ended up going just over the crossbar. María Méndez had a chance from a few yards out to give the hosts the lead in the 26th minute, after an initial shot from Alexia Putellas was deflected off the crossbar, but she was unable to take advantage from close range.

After a dominant first 45 minutes from Spain, it was the Canadians who found the first goal of the game moments after halftime.

Evelyne Viens stole the ball in midfield and charged forward with it before playing a lateral pass to Marie-Yasmine Alidou. Alidou, who was a late addition to the squad to replace the injured Cloé Lacasse, took a touch before firing the ball into the bottom left corner of the net for her first goal with the national team in just her third appearance.

Alba Redondo had a pair of chances to equalize shortly after Alidou’s opener, but sent both off target — a common theme on the night for a Spanish attack that was left frustrated by a number of squandered chances.

Sabrina D’Angelo, who replaced Kailen Sheridan at halftime, put on a show in the second half, making five saves as Spain continued to pile the pressure on the Canadians. The best of the bunch was an incredible save at her near post on Putellas in the 80th minute, denying the two-time Ballon d’Or winner’s powerful shot.

She also made a great reaction save on debutant Cristina Martín-Prieto, a club teammate of Alidou at Benfica, two minutes later, before Athenea del Castillo skied the rebound. Martín-Prieto would get the last laugh, though, marking her national team debut with a goal in the 89th minute to tie the game at 1-1. Ona Batlle lobbed a high cross into the box onto the head of her teammate, who put it into the back of the net.

Spain continued the attacking onslaught into the four minutes of stoppage time, forcing another save out of D’Angelo, but Canada were able to hang on for a result.

Canada were solid defensively in the match, as they often are, but struggled to gain control against a dominant Spanish side that outshot them 32-5 on the night. It was 10-1 in terms of shots on target, with Spain failing to take advantage of many of their chances, but Alidou making the most of hers.

The late goal denied Canada a first-ever win over Spain, in what was the fourth meeting between the two nations, with Spain victorious in two of the previous three.

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