Canada shuts out Costa Rica to stay perfect at W Gold Cup, clinch top seed for quarterfinals

Canadian defender Shelina Zadorsky had a night to remember Wednesday, after a year she would probably like to forget.

The 31-year-old from Kitchener, Ont., scored twice from set pieces to help Canada blank Costa Rica 3-0 and remain perfect at the CONCACAF W Gold Cup with three wins and the top seeding heading into the weekend quarterfinals.

Last April, Zadorsky detailed a medical ordeal that started when she contracted COVID-19 in mid-December.

"In my own experience over the last three-and-a-half months, I have been dealing with health challenges relating to COVID, illness, fatigue and honestly every sick symptom you can name," Zadorsky wrote in a social media post.

In February 2022, Zadorsky contracted COVID again. Further testing showed she had contracted glandular fever and tested positive for celiac disease.

Restored to health, Zadorsky has found a new club home in England, joining West Ham on loan from Tottenham. And she has impressed in her two starts at the W Gold Cup, making a claim to regain a regular spot in the lineup.

WATCH l Zadorsky leads Canada past Costa Rica:

"You could see the whole team celebrate the goals," said Canada coach Bev Priestman. "I think that's what Shelina means to the team."

"I felt that this tournament was a chance to let Shelina step up," she added. "And I think today she absolutely did that. She's enjoying her football where she's at now in the WSL (England's Women's Super League). Given what she's been through last year, to see her get the goals, you could see the whole team was incredibly happy."

It was a milestone 50th game in charge for Priestman, who improved to 31-9-10 since being named coach in October 2020.

Jordyn Huitema also scored for Canada, which outshot Costa Rica