Canada can't overcome Denmark's 1st-half blitz in 4-3 women's soccer friendly loss in Toronto

Olivia Holdt scored twice and had an assist to lead Denmark to a 4-3 victory over Canada in a women's international soccer friendly on Monday at BMO Field in Toronto.

Pernille Harder and Janni Thomsen also tallied for the visitors, who blitzed the hosts with three goals in a nine-minute span in the opening half.

Olivia Smith, Evelyne Viens and Delaney Pridham scored for Canada in front of an announced crowd of 12,112 on a warm, mostly sunny afternoon at the lakefront stadium.

The teams played to a 1-1 draw on Friday in Montreal. Smith scored a late equalizer for the hosts in that game and Canada won the unofficial shootout 4-2.

On Monday, the ninth-ranked Canadians started with a 4-2-3-1 formation while the 12th-ranked Danes went with a 3-4-3. Kailen Sheridan started in net for Canada and Jessie Fleming wore the captain's armband.

Canada comes up just short against Denmark in Toronto FIFA friendly

Pridham opened the scoring in the 10th minute after Kaylee Hunter headed the ball low into a packed penalty area. Pridham swiveled and beat goalkeeper Freja Thisgaard for her first goal with the women's senior team.

Canada kept the pressure on and was nearly rewarded moments later when Smith's shot from outside the area glanced off Thisgaard and hit the post.

Defensive miscues contributed to the Denmark scoring surge.

Holdt took possession of a loose ball after Canada's Julia Grosso couldn't corral a pass from defender Kadeisha Buchanan at midfield. The Danish forward took a few strides inside the halfway line and launched a shot that sailed over Sheridan's head and bounced into the net in the 24th minute.

An errant pass attempt by Buchanan moments later created another turnover. A strike from Sofie Bredgaard hit the crossbar