A capacity crowd of 5,611 packed Langford’s Starlight Stadium on Tuesday night, braving a crisp spring evening to watch Canada’s women’s national team face Argentina in the second match of their two-game series.
Despite dominating nearly every statistical category, the Canadians fell 1-0 to a gritty and opportunistic Argentinian side.
The seventh-ranked Canadians, who comfortably defeated Argentina 3-0 four nights earlier at Vancouver’s BC Place, couldn’t replicate the clinical finishing that defined their first meeting. Canada outshot Argentina 18-6 and controlled 70 per cent of possession but were undone by a single first-half goal and resolute defending.
That goal came in the 34th minute when Yamila Rodriguez delivered a sharp-angled cross that slipped past Canadian goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. It was one of Argentina’s few forays into the attacking third – but it proved decisive.
The result marked Canada’s first loss under new head coach Casey Stoney, who expressed frustration with her team’s execution in the final third.
“First of all, bitterly disappointed,” Stoney said post-match. “There were elements of the game that we controlled, and others that we didn’t. I thought we lost a bit of midfield control in the first half. We got into the final third, but there was a lack of decision-making and execution.”
The physicality of the match stood out, with Argentina collecting several yellow cards. Margarita Gimenez Caneva, Evelyn Sofía, Domínguez Acuna, Vanina Ailén Preininger, and Rodriguez were all cautioned.
Canada continued to apply pressure in the second half, generating several set-piece chances, but couldn’t solve Argentinian goalkeeper Solana Pereyra – until she was sent off in the 77th minute. Pereyra came off her line to thwart a Canadian counterattack, handling the ball outside the penalty area and receiving a straight red card.
Despite playing the final 13 minutes with a player advantage, Canada couldn’t break through. Replacement goalkeeper Renata Masciarelli was called into action quickly and held firm to preserve the shutout.
Canadian captain Shelina Zadorsky admitted the team didn’t execute to their standard, particularly in the opening half.
“I think, particularly in the first half, it wasn't good enough for us, and we have to be better than that on the ball," Zadorsky said. “It’s a humbling experience, but we always come back fighting stronger.”
Zadorsky also touched on the significance of playing in Victoria, where national team appearances remain rare.
“Any time we play in Canada, it means so much. No matter where it is, part of our heart is there. When we come out west, we're always greeted by really nice people,” she said.
Vancouver’s Julia Grosso echoed that sentiment, reflecting on what it meant to play close to home and represent British Columbia.
“It means the world to me to play here. I had Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt as mentors, and I vividly remember watching them because they were from B.C.," Grosso said. “I hope to be the same for other young girls in the crowd and hopefully have a little impact on them.”
Grosso, who scored in Friday’s game in Vancouver, also highlighted the team’s continued integration of younger players. One of those was 19-year-old Kayla Briggs, who earned her first career start on Tuesday.
“Kayla started and did really well, which gets me excited for the future,” Grosso added.
Coach Stoney agreed, singling out both Briggs and Holly Ward as positives on a tough night.
“Kayla’s looked really good in training, so I wanted to get her in, and I thought she held herself really well,” Stoney said. “It was an opportunity to change the team and look at some different players, and I think that was a positive with Kayla and Holly.”
The match marked Canada’s third appearance at Starlight Stadium, where they previously played to a 2-2 draw with Jamaica in 2022 and defeated Australia 5-0 in 2023 during Christine Sinclair’s farewell tour.
Canada's next scheduled game is an international friendly against the U.S.A., on July 2 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
