Canada had the ball, the chances and the crowd behind them. What they lacked was a goal.

For much of Friday's meeting with Denmark, the CANWNT looked more threatening. They moved possession well and repeatedly found ways into dangerous areas, but their finishing let them down. With the clock ticking and a home defeat looming, Olivia Smith stepped up to change the mood at Stade Saputo.

The Arsenal forward cut inside and fired a left-footed shot across goal in the 84th minute, finally beating Danish goalkeeper Alberte Vingum to make it 1–1. Canada went on to win the unofficial penalty shootout 4–2, giving the home crowd another moment to celebrate.

The draw itself offered a more complicated takeaway: Canada showed they could create chances against a top-15 opponent, yet still have work to do to turn promising spells into wins.

Denmark punish Canada's missed chances

Canada nearly made the perfect start. Marie-Yasmine Alidou found herself in a promising position inside the opening minute, but Denmark goalkeeper Maja Bay Østergaard saved her close-range volley.

It offered an early glimpse of what Canada could produce, but the breakthrough didn't come. Instead, Denmark showed their own threat when Pernille Harder intercepted a risky pass from Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan in the 13th minute. Sheridan recovered to deny Olivia Holdt, keeping the score level.

Canada paid for a defensive lapse in the 24th minute. Amalie Vangsgaard drove down the right flank before sending the ball into the penalty area, where Harder finished to give Denmark the lead.

The goal came against the run of play, but Denmark did what Canada hadn't: they made a big moment count.

Jessie Fleming almost levelled things before half-time after connecting with a low cross from Nichelle Prince, but her effort sailed over the bar. Canada went into the break trailing despite creating chances to score.

Stoney turns to Smith

Canada head coach Casey Stoney made changes at the half, bringing on Smith and Ottawa Rapid FC's Delaney Baie Pridham among others as she looked for a spark in attack.

Smith provided one almost immediately. Direct in possession and willing to take defenders on, she gave Canada a different outlet and helped push Denmark deeper into their own half.

The change in momentum was clear. Canada kept probing, with Janine Sonis testing Vingum from a free kick before sending another effort wide. Kaylee Hunter also came close after Smith played a clever ball over the Danish back line, but her attempt was blocked.

After the match, Stoney explained that getting Smith involved was central to Canada's second-half approach.

"It was just about how we can get her the ball as many times as possible. And how can we create the space for her to be able to get on the ball?" she said.

Stoney also praised Smith's ability to make things happen one-on-one against defenders.

"She is a difference maker. She's got ability in one-on-one situations and the ability to score goals, and she looked like she was having fun."

That confidence was on full display in the 84th minute. Smith cut inside, created space, and drove a left-footed strike across goal and into the net. After spending much of the evening searching for an opening, Canada finally had their equalizer.

The forward raced towards the touchline to celebrate with her teammates. It was her sixth senior international goal, and a timely reminder of the individual quality Canada can call on when a game needs changing.

Alidou was just as enthusiastic about her teammate's impact.

"Liv is incredible. I love playing with her. She's just special, and she's so good on the ball," Alidou said. "She wants to make the difference, and that's why it makes her the player she is."

A late push, but still room to improve

The final statistics reflected Canada's attacking pressure. They held 69% possession and outshot Denmark 21–9, although both sides recorded six shots on target.

For Stoney, the number of chances was encouraging. The inability to convert them was not.

"We do need to be more clinical. I feel like a broken record; I keep saying that, but we do," she said. Stoney added that Canada had created more quality chances against this level of opposition than in previous matches, while giving Denmark credit for defending their penalty area well.

It was a fair summary of a night that brought both frustration and relief. Canada had enough of the ball to win, but needed a moment of individual brilliance to avoid losing.

The teams also took part in an unofficial penalty shootout after the draw, with Canada winning 4–2. The shootout didn't change the official result, but it gave home supporters a positive finish to Canada's first match on home soil since June 2025.

Smith's finish, and Canada's second-half response, offered a glimpse of what the team can do when they find the right connections and give their attackers room to express themselves. The Arsenal forward, who joined the club from Liverpool last year for a then-world-record £1 million, has now shown she can bring that quality to the international stage.

Her teammates quickly joined in the celebration. Delaney Baie Pridham knows just how capable Smith is, having seen her produce moments like that in training.

"She's an unbelievable player," Baie Pridham said. "Such an amazing shot; she hits those in training all the time, and obviously everyone knows how talented she is at club level, so happy for her to bring that internationally and have that goal to get us tied up."

Another test awaits in Toronto

The draw gives Canada plenty to take into Monday's rematch at BMO Field. Denmark showed they can punish mistakes, while Canada demonstrated they can create chances against strong opposition. The next step is making that attacking pressure count earlier.

The fixtures are part of Canada's preparation for the CONCACAF W Championship, where a quarter-final against Panama on November 28 will carry qualification implications for both the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.

Friday's performance wasn't perfect, and Stoney made it clear she wants more from her side of the goal. Still, Smith's late finish offered a glimpse of what Canada can do when they find the right connections. Canada may have settled for a draw, but they head to Toronto with momentum from a late comeback and a clear challenge for the next meeting: turn chances into three points.