Canadian star Olivia Smith hurt in not-so-friendly loss to Switzerland

Canada suffered a costly 1-0 loss to Switzerland in women's international soccer play Friday, losing star striker Olivia Smith to injury in the first half.

Alayah Pilgrim scored for the 24th-ranked Swiss at the Swissporarena in a game that was anything but friendly thanks to the physical Swiss. Ninth-ranked Canada had its chances, including two in stoppage time, but failed to take advantage, misfiring more often than not.

It was a first-ever win for the Swiss over Canada.

Smith was hurt in a heavy fall in the 32nd minute, seemingly deliberately bodied to the ground by Swiss defender Viola Calligaris. Smith spent some five minutes on the turf receiving medical attention before being taken off the field in a golf cart.

The 21-year-old grimaced as she was lifted to the feet and was helped to the cart, not putting weight on her right leg. She looked distraught as she was driven off the field.

The play was not judged a foul from French referee Maika Vanderstichel, leaving irate Canada coach Casey Stoney protesting on the sideline. Smith had received physical treatment from the Swiss from the opening kickoff.

It was the first Canada start for Smith since signing with England's Arsenal from Liverpool in July for a then-world-record transfer fee of one million pounds ($1.86 million).

Smith, who was replaced by Marie-Yasmine Alidou, was not the only Canadian to feel the effects of Swiss roughhousing on the night.

Canada was coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss to the second-ranked Americans last time out on July 2, a setback Stoney called "a reality check for everybody."

The Canadian women face the 11th-ranked Netherlands on Tuesday in Nijmegen. They close out 2025 with a pair of games against No. 8 Japan during the November FIFA