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

Canada then beat Denmark on unofficial penalty kicks, 4-2, to end the evening.

It was Canada’s first match since a 6-0 win over Costa Rica in June and its first contest on home soil since June 2025. While the Canadians have performed well against lower-ranked opponents under head coach Casey Stoney, the women’s national team is still seeking its first victory against a top-15 opponent since she took over in January 2025.

Canada and Denmark meet again Monday at Toronto’s BMO Field, where longtime left back Allysha Chapman will make her 100th and final appearance for Canada.

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 qualified for this summer’s World Cup after finishing atop its UEFA qualifying group ahead of Sweden, Serbia and Italy.

Canada played without veteran defender Vanessa Gilles, who withdrew from both friendlies after suffering a muscle injury with Bayern Munich. Fellow centre back Kadeisha Buchanan also missed the match despite joining Canada in camp.

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

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

Denmark nearly 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.

Canadian captain Jessie Fleming nearly equalized in the 34th minute when she connected with a low cross from Nichelle Prince but sent her shot over the crossbar.

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 having a free kick from the edge of the box denied before firing a low volley wide, before Smith finally broke through with her sixth goal for Canada.

Canada now holds a 3-3-1 all-time record against Denmark. The two sides hadn’t met since 2017 when Canada claimed a 1-0 victory at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.

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

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

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

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