Olivia Smith scores late equalizer as Canada salvages draw with Denmark

Olivia Smith scored a late equalizer as Canada salvaged a 1-1 draw with Denmark on Friday in the first of two international women's soccer friendlies between the two sides.

The ninth-ranked Canadians struggled to score until the Arsenal striker cut to her left foot and fired a shot across goal, beating Danish keeper Alberte Vingum in the 84th minute before a crowd of 10,162 at Stade Saputo in Montreal.

Bayern Munich star and national team captain Pernille Harder opened the scoring in the 24th minute for 12th-ranked Denmark on a brisk 9 Celsius night.

Julia Grosso almost scored the go-ahead goal for Canada in injury time, hitting the crossbar before Vingum denied a close-range chance from Smith. Canadian substitute keeper Sabrina D'Angelo then made a last-gasp save on a blistering volley from Janni Thomsen in a hectic ending.

Canada then beat Denmark on unofficial penalty kicks, 4-2, to end the evening.

Canada outduels Denmark in unofficial penalty shootout to wrap up opener

It was Canada's first match since a 6-0 win over Costa Rica in June and its first contest on home soil since June 2025. While the Canadians have performed well against lower-ranked opponents under head coach Casey Stoney, the women's national team is still seeking its first victory against a top-15 opponent since she took over in January 2025.

Canada and Denmark meet again Monday at Toronto's BMO Field, where longtime left back Allysha Chapman will make her 100th and final appearance for Canada.

The friendlies serve as a measuring stick ahead of Canada's quarterfinal against Panama on Nov. 28 at the CONCACAF W Championship, a qualifier for both the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Denmark has already qualified