Canadian women battle France to draw in opener of U-17 Women's World Cup

Substitute Annabelle Chukwu scored in the 67th minute as Canada tied France in its opening match Wednesday at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

France, which won the tournament in 2012, pulled even on a 73rd-minute goal by Lucie Calba at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.

Both teams had early chances with Canadian goalkeeper Coralie Lallier forced to make a save in the first 30 seconds and Canada surviving a goalmouth scramble in the seventh.

Anna Hauer set up the Canada goal with a through ball to Chukwu, who sidestepped the French goalkeeper and slotted the ball home. France tied it up in the 73rd on an acrobatic header by Calba.

"Good start team! Onto the next one," tweeted Canada women's coach Bev Priestman, who is married to under-17 coach Emma Humphries.

Good start Team! Onto the next one