Canada settles for draw vs. World Cup champions Spain

• Canada 1 (Alidou 49’), Spain 1 (Martín-Prieto 89’) 
• Les Rouges earns draw in their 1st game since quarter-final exit at Paris Olympics
• Canada now winless in 4 all-time matches vs. Spain since their 1st meeting in 2017

The post-Paris Olympics era for the Canadian women’s team nearly got off to a mesmerizing start. 

Canada was within minutes of earning a stunning victory over Spain, but conceded late and had to settle for a 1-1 draw against the World Cup champions in Friday’s international friendly at Estadio Francisco de la Hera in Almendralejo.  

Outplayed and overawed for most of the match by the stylish Spanish, the Canadians rode their luck at times and nearly managed to grind out an unlikely victory via substitute Marie-Yasmine Alidou’s goal early in the second half.

To its credit, Spain kept its nerve, as its swarming attacking pressure resulted in an equalizer from Cristina Martín-Prieto in the final minute of regulation time to save her team's blushes.