Canada ekes out win over New Zealand in Olympic opener

Canada began its journey to defend its Olympic gold from Tokyo 2020 with a 2-1 win over New Zealand on Thursday.

With all-time top goal-scorer Christine Sinclair enjoying retirement, and star right-back Jayde Riviere ruled out with injury, Les Rouges didn’t let these setbacks get to them on a sunny afternoon in France.

It was unclear how Canada would play against the Football Ferns amidst the recent spygate incident, where members of Bev Priestman's support staff were caught and sent home earlier this week for using drones to spy on New Zealand training. FIFA said Wednesday its disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against Canada Soccer and three members of the women's team's staff.

That said, Canada proved victorious and took home all three points in opening Group A action. 

"I think we feel really thankful that we had the opportunity to come out here and play today and show what it means for us to represent Canada as players," Canada's Jessie Fleming said after the match, per Devin Heroux of CBC Olympics.

"It's been a lot for the group."

Read on to learn the key moments from Thursday’s matchup. 

FINAL SCORE: CANADA 2, NEW ZEALAND 1

• FT: That's a wrap! Canada wins its Group A opener over New Zealand 2-1, and takes home all three points in Group A gameplay.

• 90 + 4': Spence makes more substitutions! Leon makes way for alternate Shelina Zadorsky. Four minutes of added time remain, and it's tense in France. You can even hear the players shouting their remarks to each other!

• 90': The second official has indicated eight minutes of second-half added time. While Canada remains on the front foot, soccer is unpredictable and anything can happen.

• 86': Kadeisha Buchanan sees yellow after taking down New Zealand's Indiah-Paige Riley. The free kick, which was positioned right outside the box, sails over the bar. Relief for Canada.

• 82': As a head-to-head reminder, Canada records 10 wins, four ties, and one loss against New Zealand in all-time matchups. Canada's sole loss to the Football Ferns came in 1987.

• 79': And just like that, Viens gets her second chance! After a long ball from Fleming, the 27-year-old cuts the ball past the keeper and into the left corner. Advantage Canada after sloppy defending from New Zealand. But will Les Rouges be able to keep the lead in the final minutes?

• 77': Another opportunity for Canada! Viens fumbles a low cross and the ball heads out of bounds. The Roma star will wish she had that chance again.

• 74': As we enter the final 15 minutes, Les Rouges seems to be all over New Zealand. It's not that the Kiwis are playing bad, they've done well to contain the Canadian attack. But the Great White North has maintained possession and kept the ball in the Ferns' half.

• 69': After only being on the pitch for a few minutes, Beckie has made an instant impact. Her absence was clearly missed this past year as she healed from an ACL tear. If Canada is to make a deep run in this tournament, the 29-year-old's consistency, fire and ball control will be essential.

• 65': More subs for Canada. Simi Awujo and Evelyne Viens enter the fray as Quinn and Gabby Carle take the bench.

• 59': Fresh legs for Canada! Prince and goal-scorer Lacasse make way for Jordyn Huitema and veteran Janine Beckie.

• 55': While Canada seems to be settling into the game and recording more opportunities, Spence's side must be careful. New Zealand is a scrappy team, and can break at any moment. The team who wins will be the team who can stay locked in for the final 35 minutes.

• 50': Les Rouges begins the second 45 strong. Skipper Jessie Fleming is showing her trademark speed and leadership, while forwards Lacasse and Leon are proving more creative. However, one cannot count out the Ferns, who have something to prove on the Olympic stage.

• 46': We're back in action at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard! Now that both teams have settled into the match and gotten rid of their Olympic jitters, fans should expect a completely different second half.

• HT: Stat attack! After the first half, Canada recorded six shots and four on target while New Zealand tallied one shot and one on target. Canada leads in possession with 60 per cent.

• HT: It's all square at the half! As the players file into their team rooms, both sides will be back to the drawing board ahead of a huge second 45.

• 45 + 3': GOAL FOR CANADA! After a tizzy of touches in the box, Lacasse levels the score 1-1. The speed Canada showed will be its key to the game against the Kiwis, who struggle with "pinball" soccer.

• 45': The second official has announced four minutes of first-half added time. Will Canada level the score, or will New Zealand take its lead into the half?

• 44': HUGE miss for Canada! After congestion in the box, Prince's shot sails over the crossbar. The 29-year-old should have found the net, but it means chances are slowly coming for the reigning Olympic champions.

• 41': As we near the end of the first half, the scoreline remains 1-0. Nichelle Prince is showing tenacity and speed up the flank, but Canada is unable to find windows of space. Cloé Lacasse gets a shot on net, but the angle proves too difficult to be fruitful.

• 35': Chance for Canada! On the break, Adriana Leon's shot goes right into the keeper's hands. Leon, alongside fellow Canadians Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, is up for the 2023/24 CONCACAF Player of the Year award.

• 32': At the hydration break, Canada is looking uncharacteristically off. There's miscommunication, nerves, and Les Rouges are giving New Zealand heaps of space on all areas of the pitch. It's not new that Canada struggles on the attack, but the players Andy Spence has selected don't seem to be stringing together opportunities.

• 25': After the opening goal, New Zealand appears to be keeping its defensive structure amidst Canada's pressure. Clearly, the Kiwis have nothing to lose — or are holding a grudge after the spying. Nonetheless, the game has turned physical and aggressive.

It's 150 appearances for Canada centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan!

• 13': New Zealand strike first off a set piece! Katie Bowen's ball slips past Kailen Sheridan's hands and into the net. 1-0 for the Ferns.

• 7': In the opening minutes, Canada looks tentative, nervous almost. Les Rouges' trademark quick passes are on full display, but there's hesitancy.

• 1': And we're off! Canada gets the ball rolling at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St-Etienne.