Canada suffers heartbreaking road loss vs. Brazil in 2022 finale
- Canada 1 (Lawrence 61'), Brazil 2 (Beatriz 42’; Vitória 90’+2’)
- Olympic champions see their five-game winning streak snapped
- Lawrence scores her 8th goal in 113 appearances for the Reds
Wanting to test itself against a Tier-1 nation in preparation ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup, the Canadian women’s team got exactly what it bargained for in Tuesday’s international friendly vs. Brazil.
Canada conceded deep into injury time in its final match of the year en route to a tough 2-1 loss to the Brazilians at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo, the same stadium where the Reds beat the South Americans in the bronze medal match at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ashley Lawrence scored for Canada, who saw its five-game winning streak snapped, while midfielder Jessie Fleming put in a player-of-the match performance in orchestrating the attack and creating the best scoring chances for the Olympic champions.
Worryingly, Canadian forward Nichelle Prince had to be stretchered off the pitch moments after Brazil's winning goal with what appeared to be a lower-body injury after she crumpled to the ground under no contact from a Brazilian player. There was no update from Canada Soccer on her condition after the match.