The CanWNT's first match back on the pitch in 2026 had almost everything everyone could've wanted — and more.

Casey Stoney's side delivered an emphatic 4-1 blow to Colombia at Geodis Park in Nashville on Sunday, re-introducing themselves to supporters across the country with the energy and intensity that had been missing since Canada Day last year.

A rejuvenated Canadian side came flying out of the traps early on, likely buoyed by a different feeling around the national team camp to begin 2026.

"I think we're definitely happy, I think the vibes in camp have been good, and I think we deserved that result today," captain Jessie Fleming told OneSoccer's Mackenzie Barwell after the win.

In a stark contrast to how 2025 ended, the starting Canadian front four of Holly Ward, Marie-Yasmine Alidou, DB Pridham and Jordyn Huitema engaged high up the field, backed up by Fleming and holding midfielder Emma Regan.

And yes, you read that right, DB Pridham.

In another positive change from last year, Ottawa Rapid and NSL star striker Pridham finally had her paperwork in order, allowing her to make her debut — from the start — in Sunday's big win. The overall exuberance eventually — or rather, quickly — led to Canada's first goal, on the stroke of 30 minutes, as Ward was hauled down yards from the Colombian end line.

That passage led to Sonis being sent to the corner flag, where the first of two perfect set-piece takes form the Denver Summit fullback found the head of Vanessa Gilles. Just as she did the last time these two nations met at Paris 2024, Gilles tipped a header past the reach of Katherine Tapia for Les Rouges' first goal since July 2, 2025.

GOAL 🇨🇦

VANESSA GILLES HEADER OFF A CORNER ALERT 🚨

The CanWNT 🇨🇦 go up 1-0 over Colombia 🇨🇴 from this signature goal routine – and that's more like it! 😎

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— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 1, 2026

The second perfect delivery from Sonis struck the back of the net midway through the second half, as the Colorado native pitched a ball towards goal that froze Tapia in place.

GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦

It's JANINE SONIS with the PERFECT free-kick strike! 🎯

CanWNT go up 2-0 on Colombia 🇨🇴 at the 2026 SheBelieves Cup! 🏆

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— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 1, 2026

But set-pieces weren't the only place where the Canadians delivered on Sunday.

From open play, Les Rouges were plenty dangerous on either side of half, with Ward nearly picking out Huitema for a header (and Pridham on clean-up duty at the back post) in the 41st minute. Ward forced another turnover on the hour mark which nearly led to more fireworks, while Alidou and Gilles both also hit the crossbar one after another in the 48th minute.

The open play goals, meanwhile, finally started to hit the net with less than 20 minutes left to play, starting with Sydney Collins cleaning up an Alidou shot off the crossbar — helped by Tapia not getting a clean handle on the ball.

GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

CanWNT are now up 3-0 over Colombia 🇨🇴 as Sydney Collins taps home a crossbar hit to tidy things up 🧹

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— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 1, 2026

"I think we've had to be patient with [Collins], make sure that she comes back and integrates in camp. I thought her goal, actually, was an epitome of what she does. She wins it, she's got the athleticism to join in the attack really well, she followed it in and she got her goal," Stoney praised her 'left-back, centre-back, right-back' after the final whistle.

It was praise that was spread by Stoney across the entire squad that took significant steps forward in just the last couple of weeks.

"Let's celebrate the fact— no one's even mentioned we had two debuts (DB Pridham and Brooklyn Courtnall) today, like, we've got new players in the program. We've got someone who scored their first goal (Sydney Collins), there's big things that are coming out of the team today that are positives."

Colombia skipper Leicy Santos pulled Las Cafeteras within one from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining, but the comeback hopes were shortlived, as Gisela Robledo was sent off just four minutes later.

Robledo, who earned her second yellow for dissent after spiking the ball, received the first for what was deemed simulation by referee Katja Koroleva — and most wouldn't disagree.

FALLON D'FLOOR NOMINEE 😂

Audacious? Yup. Thankfully, the ref didn't buy it, and Gisela Robledo sees yellow for this terrible flop 🟨 pic.twitter.com/UCtS3Hh86H

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 1, 2026

Then, one final positive delivered itself in the 90th minute, as again from the high press, Cloé Lacasse, on her injury return, connected with veteran Nichelle Prince to put the bow on a banner night.

Prince, who entered at half-time, replaced Pridham in a planned substitution, according to Stoney after the match, another noticeable change in approach with the experimental squad at her disposal.

GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

And that's 4-1 for the CanWNT vs. Colombia 🇨🇴 as Nichelle Prince gets on the scoresheet with this first-time finish 😎

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— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 1, 2026

With the win, and big pressure now off the shoulders, a giant task awaits in their next match against the United States on Wednesday — the matchup that started their five-game skid last year.

It's a task that Stoney is not overlooking as they turn their attention towards it.

"We have to earn every single moment. The hard work is non-negotiable at this level. I think there's still things we have to improve, but I have to take this moment to say 'well done' to the players because they've had nothing but criticism for the last five games.

For me, the way we responded today, the fact that we've scored four goals — obviously disappointed we conceded — I'm really pleased, but I'm also not getting ahead of myself and we have a lot of work to do."