Canada's Christine Sinclair Breaks Abby Wambach's International Goal Record
Jan 29, 2020
CHONGQING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 10: Christine Sinclair #12 of Canada Women in action during the Women's International match between Canada and New Zealand atChongqing Yongchuan Sports Center Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Chongqing, China. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
Abby Wambach's reign as the leading international goal scorer has ended.
Christine Sinclair scored her 185th goal,surpassing Wambach's 184,as the Canadian National Team faced Saint Kitts and Nevis in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying on Wednesday.
In the 23rd minute, Adriana Leon played a pass into Sinclair near the penalty spot, where she collected it before burying it in the bottom left corner. The 36-year-old was immediately mobbed by her teammates.
Wambach took to Twitter shortly after her record fell to congratulate her one-time rival.
"Christine: History is made. Your victory is our victory. We celebrate with you." Wambach posted. "And to every girl coming up in the Pack with a dream to achieve that which doesn’t yet even exist: We believe in you. Your Pack is with you. And history awaits you."
Wambach retired from international competition in 2015 after leading the United States Women’s National Team to the World Cup title earlier that year.
Sinclair, who plays club football for the NWSL's Portland Thorns, is looking to lead Team Canada to its fourth straight appearance in the Olympics. The Canadians have earned a bronze medal in each of their last two appearances.
Sweden Edge Christine Sinclair, Canada, Advance to Women's World Cup Quarters
Jun 24, 2019
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 24: Stina Blackstenius of Sweden Women celebrates 1-0 with Kosovare Asllani of Sweden Women during the World Cup Women match between Sweden v Canada at the Parc des Princes on June 24, 2019 in Paris France (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Swedenmade it through to the quarter-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup on Monday after a 1-0 win over Canada.
The first half was a dull affair with defences very much on top and neither team able to carve out a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The deadlock was finally broken 10 minutes after half-time from a quick Sweden counter-attack.
Kosovare Asllani raced forward and produced a fine pass through to Stina Blackstenius to prod the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe.
BR Video
Canada were presented with a great chance to equalise on 68 minutes when Asllani conceded a penalty for handball. However, Janine Beckie's shot was pushed around the post by goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
Sweden came close to doubling their lead in the closing stages. Peter Gerhardsson's side had a penalty ruled out after a VAR check spotted an offside in the build-up and then saw an Asllani effort cleared off the line.
The Swedes made five changes to the team that lost 2-0 to the United States in their final group game, while Canada replaced Jordyn Huitema withNichelle Prince:
The first half was a disappointing affair with both attacks struggling. The closest Canada come to posing a threat was from a couple of early corners, while Sweden's brightest moment was a shot dragged wide by Sofia Jakobsson.
Even Canada captain Christine Sinclair's finishing was wayward. The 36-year-old captain tried her luck early in the second half with a free-kick that sailed wide of the post.
The deadlock was finally broken on 55 minutes as Sweden intercepted a poor pass deep in the Canada half and played the ball out to Asllani. The striker raced forward and bent a superb pass to Blackstenius to poke home the opener:
The goal was exactly what the game needed, as both teams finally began to create chances. Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo fired a powerful shot just wide, while Allysha Chapmanheaded just wide at the other end.
Canada then won a penalty after Desiree Scott's shot struck Asllani's arm inside the area.
Up stepped Beckie, but she was denied by Lindahl, who dived to her right and pushed her effort around the post:
Sweden thought they had won a penalty of their own inside the final 10 minutes when Ashley Lawrence brought down Rolfo, but the decision was overturned by VAR due to an offside in the build-up.
Scott then saved Canada again with a fine goal-line clearance from Asllani's volley, but Kenneth Heiner-Moller's side could not find a late equaliser and head out of the tournament.
What's Next?
Sweden go on to face Germany in the quarter-finals of the competition on Saturday at Roazhon Park in Rennes.
Canada Coast Past New Zealand, Secure Knockout Spot at 2019 Women's World Cup
Jun 15, 2019
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JUNE 15: Jessie Fleming of Canada celebrates with teammate Janine Beckie after scoring her team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group E match between Canada and New Zealand at Stade des Alpes on June 15, 2019 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Canada booked their place in the knockout stages of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup on Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 win over New Zealand at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France.
Jessie Fleming and Nichelle Prince scored the goals to send their side through. Fleming opened the scoring in the 48th minute after a brilliant break from Prince, who then sealed the victory with just over 10 minutes remaining by reacting fastest after Christine Sinclair hit the post.
Canada were in control of the ball for long spells and could've broken the deadlock earlier when Sinclair headed against the bar from close range in the first half.
The opening period was punctured by a nasty arm injury suffered by New Zealand's CJ Bott, who was replaced by Annalie Longo in the 18th minute.
New Zealand's plan was clear, as they sat deep and sought to frustrate their opponents, and Canada failed to carve out many clear-cut opportunities in the first half.
The injury to Bott took the momentum out of the game. The New Zealand player was left in serious pain after she blocked a cross with her hand and was clearly struggling:
😨Catherine Bott looks to be in a world of pain here...
Sinclair then crashed her header against the woodwork, but the long delay had made for a scrappy encounter. With the game still goalless at half time, New Zealand would have been pleased, aside from the injury suffered by their full-back.
With time to regroup, Canada showed more purpose in the second period, and they capitalised on a rare attack where their forwards had space to burst into.
Prince scampered down the left flank and pulled back a perfect ball into the path of Fleming to finish:
Aaron West of FOX Sports paid tribute to the Canadian's desire to get into the penalty area and convert the opportunity:
As SOON as Jessie Fleming saw that ball go down the line she got her CHUG on and trekked into the box to get on the end of that. Absolutely love the industry 🔥
New Zealand required an excellent save from goalkeeper Erin Nayler to keep the deficit at one goal when she sprung into action to keep out a Prince header.
However, the Ferns were beginning to wilt under the pressure of Canada's possession play, and a second goal was inevitable. With 11 minutes left on the clock, Sinclair had another effort clatter off the woodwork, but Prince was on hand to poke home on the follow-up.
Laura Armstrong of theToronto Starpraised the forward's goalscoring instincts at the end of a fine individual display:
Nichelle Prince’s first chance was prettier, but being in the right place at the right time is no less important. Player of the Match for me (to this point, anyways). 2-0 for #canWNT
The three points guarantees Canada's spot in the knockout stages and extends their unbeaten run to 10 games, nine of which they've kept a clean sheet in. They face the Netherlands—who also have six points but a superior goal difference—on Thursday in their final game, in which the winner will top the group.
New Zealand will be seeking to at least secure third in the group on the same day when they face Cameroon.
Christine Sinclair, Canada Win 2019 Women's World Cup Opener vs. Cameroon
Jun 10, 2019
Canada took an early lead in Group C at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup after opening their tournament with a 1-0 win over Cameroon at the Stade de la Mosson inMontpellier, France.
The No. 5-ranked favourites got the better of Cameroon—making their second World Cup appearance—after Kadeisha Buchanan headed in the only goal of the game.
Group E opponents New Zealand and the Netherlands will meet on Tuesday to find out whether either of those contenders can keep up with the early pace-setters.
BR Video
Canada came into their opening fixture as major favourites and didn't pull any surprises by building an early grip on possession. They had more than two-thirds of the ball at the end of the first half, as well as twice the number of attempts on goal as Cameroon, perFlaschscore.com.
Cameroon had won two of their three previous games coming into this match but have rarely faced opposition of Canada's quality—they lost 4-0 to Spain in May and 6-0 to France in October.
Christine Cinclair made her 283rd international appearance and was looking to build on an already imperious World Cup record, per Fox:
Canada legend Christine Sinclair has BY FAR the most international goals of anyone at this #FIFAWWC
The 35-year-old started up front alongside Jessie Fleming, 14 years her junior, but the pair struggled to fashion many opportunities against a regimented Cameroon defence.
Coach Alain Djeumfa fielded five at the back and almost managed to make it to the break with a clean sheet intact, but not before Buchanan could strike a hammer blow to their chances of making it out unscathed.
Janine Beckie's cross to the back post found the Lyon defender in plenty of space for her fourth international goal, via Fox (U.S. only):
Journalist Laura Armstrong gushed over the scoring manoeuvre:
Huge opening goal for #canWNT, a minute before halftime. Nichelle Prince did a great job to earn that corner kick, Janine Beckie's delivery to the back post was perfect, I could watch Kadeisha Buchanan's run every day. Just as they drew it up.
Canada's goal proved timely as Cameroon's frustration tactics still yielded dividends in the second period, though they were unable to mount much of an attacking threat of their own.
The African representatives managed to test goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe only once, perFlashscores.com, and allow Canada to seal their eighth clean sheet from their past nine matches.
Nigeria were the only team to score past coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller's side in that time, when they lost 2-1 to Canada in April. Cameroon couldn't replicate the feat and will look to improve against the Netherlands on Matchday 2.
What's Next?
Canada will next be in action against the Football Ferns on Saturday, while Cameroon will face the Dutch.
This article will be updated to provide more information soon.
Get the best sports content from the web and social in the new B/R app. Get the app to get the game.
