Argentina hands Canadian women's soccer team 1st loss of Stoney era

A disappointing loss for Canada's women's soccer squad could be helpful going forward, says the team's head coach.

"You don't want to lose, but I think adversity's important," Casey Stoney said after Canada dropped a 1-0 loss to Argentina in a friendly matchup in Langford, B.C.

"A little bit of struggle's really helpful because it lets us know where we're at, what we need to continue to do."

An aggressive Argentine side smothered Canada's offence en route to a 1-0 victory in a friendly game in Langford, B.C., on Tuesday.

"I don't think it was for a lack of effort. I don't ever criticize this team for effort," Stoney said. "It's just about the details, some individual errors that were in key moments where it could have been better, and about being clinical in the final third."

Seventh-ranked Canada was the heavy favourite heading into the game, having beat No. 33 Argentina 3-0 in another friendly at Vancouver's B.C. Place on Friday.

But Argentina brought an aggressive brand of soccer to Starlight Stadium, home of the Canadian Premier League's Pacific FC.

The visitors pressed hard, tackled frequently and smothered Canada's offence to take their first victory in eight meetings between the two countries.

"You have to credit them — their tactics worked," Stoney said.

"We couldn't get any rhythm, we couldn't get any kind of speed to our plays. There was so much stop-start, which became frustrating. And we've got to recognize in those moments, we've got to use the ball to be able to create rhythm and speed. So, rather than trying to force the ball forward, we've got to move the opponent. And I don't think we did that well enough."

WATCH | Argentina upsets Canada in Langford, B.C.:

Argentina upsets Canada in friendly match