Canada vs. Australia score, result, updates, highlights as Matildas thrashed in Sinclair farewell

Kieran Francis

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Canada vs. Australia score, result, updates, highlights as Matildas thrashed in Sinclair farewell image

Canada have celebrated Christine Sinclair's farewell with a 5-0 thrashing of Australia at Starlight Stadium on Friday night (Saturday AEDT).

It was the heaviest loss for the Matildas since a 7-0 loss to Spain in June 2022, with Canada running rampant against an experimental Australian side put out by coach Tony Gustavsson.

Nichelle Prince scored a double in the first half to give the home side a comfortable at the break, and the pain continued in the second half with Cloe Lacasse, Simi Awujo and Adriana Leon finding the scoresheet.

A second friendly will be played between the two teams in Vancouver on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT).

The Sporting News followed the Canada vs. Australia match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as it happened.

Canada vs. Australia result (full time)

  Score Goalscorers
Canada 5

Prince 10' 43'
Lacasse 49'
Awujo 55'
Leon 62'
Australia 0 —

Kickoff: 7:30pm local (10:30pm ET / 2:30pm AEDT)
Location: Starlight Stadium, Victoria, Canada

MORE: Sam Kerr injury update: Why Matildas star isn't playing against Canada

Starting lineups:

  • Canada starting lineup (3-4-2-1 left-to-right): Sheridan (GK) - Buchanan, Gilles, Rose (Zadorsky 71') - Lawrence (St-Georges 60'), Fleming (Schmidt 71'), Awujo, Collins - Lacasse (Sinclair 64'), Leon - Prince (Huitema 45')
  • Australia starting lineup (4-4-2 left-to-right): Micah (GK) - Nevin, Polkinghorne (Fowler 64'), Luik (Kennedy 64'), Rule - Chidiac (Cooney-Cross 64'), Wheeler, Hunter (Gorry 64'), Yallop (Raso 76') - Siemsen (Van Egmond 45') - Sayer

Australia's experimental team was under the pump from the first whistle with Canada on the front front immediately.

Nichelle Prince scored the opener for Canadsa on 10 minutes after Clare Polkinghorne gave up possession in the penalty area.

It could have more goals early if it wasn't for several saves from Matildas stopper Teagan Micah, who was at fault for the second goal just before half-time.

Prince fired a first-time shot at the near post which squeezed in under Micah's body, getting the all-important second goal.

Things didn't change after half-time with Lacasse slotting clinically home only four minutes after the break.

When Simi Awujo fired in from long range on 55 minutes and Adriana Leon headed home from close range seven minutes later, it was party time for Canada.

Australia's performance improved with the introduction of Mary Fowler, while Canada celebrated with the introduction of retiring hero Christine Sinclair.

Canada vs Australia live updates, highlights, commentary from friendly

FULL TIME: Canada 5-0 Australia

90th min: There will be two minutes of added on time.

89th min: Canada are comfortably sitting back as Australia hold possession for the first time in the match. Can the Matildas get a goal?

83rd min: We are winding down here at Starlight Stadium. Australia having more attacks after their changes but Canada holding firm.

76th min: SUBSTITUTION AUSTRALIA

Hayley Raso enters the field of play for Tameka Yallop.

74th min: CHANCE AUSTRALIA

Finally Australia has a shot. Fowler finds herself in space at the top of the area but her shot is straight into the arms of Sheridan.

71st min: SUBSTITUTIONS CANADA

Being a friendly, the changes are being swung. Canada brings on Schmidt and Zadorsky for Rose and Fleming.

70th min: Will be interesting to see if the talent brought on by the Matildas actually improves their performance. It's been dire. Canada have been rampant.

64th min: SUBSTITUTIONS

A swag of substitutions for both teams headlined by Christine Sinclair's entrance.

For Canada, Sinclair enters the field for goalscorer Lacasse.

For Australia, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Kennedy and Fowler come on for Hunter, Polkinghorne, Chidiac and Luik.

62nd min: GOAL CANADA (Leon) Canada 5-0 Australia

This is getting ugly. What a celebration for Christine Sinclair. Leon nods in from point-blank range after the header from Lacasse loops over Micah.

Watch in Canada:

Watch in Australia:

58th min: SUBSTITUTIONS CANADA

One made at half-time - Prince comes off for Jordyn Huitema. And in the 60th min Lawrence is replaced by St-Georges.

57th min: SUBSTITUTION AUSTRALIA

One change at half-time for Australia with Emily van Egmond coming on for Remy Siemsen.

55th min: GOAL CANADA (Awujo) Canada 4-0 Australia

Another one for Canada. Awujo scores her first international goal. There was no pressure from Rule and Awujo's long-range effort sneaks in at the right post. This is a bloodbath.

Watch in Canada:

Watch in Australia:

49th min: GOAL CANADA (Lacasse) Canada 3-0 Australia

Lacasse bursts into the area and calmly slots the ball past Micah. Too easy for the home side. And it's 3-0.

Watch in Canada:

Watch in Australia:

48th min: CHANCE CANADA

Leon swings in the cross and Gilles heads inches wide of the of the left post.

47th min: We have a few changes for the second half. Will get them to you as soon as possible.

Second half: We are underway in the second period

HALF TIME: Canada 2-0 Australia

Pure dominance from the home side. Nichelle Prince scoring a double. Australia is yet to have a shot on goal, or even a corner.

45th min: There will be one minute of added on time.

43rd min: GOAL CANADA (Prince) Canada 2-0 Australia

Prince squeezes the shot in at the near post after the cut back. Micah will be disappointed to have been beaten there.

Watch in Canada:

Watch in Australia:

42nd min: Prince clips in a cross to Lacasse, who nods it down for Leon but the shot is blocked.

41st min: With all respect to Australia, their best chance in this match is holding on until reinforcements come off the bench. They have a lot of talent sitting on the pine for the first half.

39th min: Some clever play from Canada at the top of the box results in a Leon shot on the turn. But the ball rolls harmlessly wide of the right post.

38th min: 10 shots to Canada and none to Australia so far. Just to illustrate the dominance to the home team.

33rd min: The Matildas have a promising attack started by Chidiac bursting through the midfield. Yallop swings the ball into the box but Canada head clear.

32nd min: CHANCE CANADA

From the resulting corner, the ball falls to Buchanan in the box, but her swivel and shot goes just wide.

31st min: CHANCE CANADA

Leon tries the shot from the edge of the area but Micah once again saves Australia, diving full stretch to tip wide.

28th min: CHANCE CANADA

Canada swing the corner to the back post, Gilles rises highest to head on goal but Micah blocks at the near post. Australia under siege. Canada absolutely dominant.

26th min: The match is being played almost exclusively in Canada's attacking half at the moment. Australia need some composure on the ball.

23rd min: CHANCE CANADA

The home side is really pressing here. Leon fires in a shot from the right byline but Micah saves with her legs. Australia could easily be 3-0 down already.

21st min: CHANCE CANADA

Prince fights her way through the area, she takes a kind deflection from the Australian defender and hits a shot at goal which bounces inches wide.

15th min: CHANCE CANADA

Lacasse attacks through the left side of the penalty area, she fires a shot from a tight angle but Micah saves into the side netting.

14th min: The home side have established their dominance. Australia struggling in transition to create meaningful attacks. It's very much a 'B' team for the Matildas.

10th min: GOAL CANADA (Prince) Canada 1-0 Australia

Mistake from Polkinghorne allows Nichelle Prince to stroll in on goal and slot an easy finish past Micah. Great start for the home side.

Watch in Canada: 

Watch in Australia:

8th min: Even start to the game. Neither team with any significant chances.

3rd min: Canada go short with the corner, ping it into the box but Wheeler clears after a mini-scramble in the area.

2nd min: Slick surface here on the astro turf at Starlight Stadium. Wet surface and the ball is pinging around. Canada win a corner.

Kickoff: We are off and running at Starlight Stadium. It's seven degrees celsius and light rain here. Chilly conditions.

Moments until kickoff: National anthems are being played. We are only moments away from the start of this match.

30 min before kickoff: Teams have been announced. Australia have picked an experimental line-up with debuts for Charlie Rule and Sarah Hunter. Christine Sinclair will start on the bench for Canada ahead of the final two matches of her career.

1 hour before kickoff: Australia will be without superstar Sam Kerr and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. Both were injured at their WSL clubs Chelsea and West Ham respectively.

2 hours before kickoff: Welcome to Starlight Stadium in Victoria for tonight's friendly match between Canada and Australia.

Australia predicted lineups, team news

Australia projected lineup (4-4-1-1): Micah (GK) — Catley, Kennedy, Hunt, Carpenter — Foord, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Raso  — Van Egmond —  Fowler

The Matildas will be without two key players for the friendly series against Canada with Sam Kerr and Mackenzie Arnold missing through injury.

Charlotte Grant and Holly McNamara have also been ruled out.

How to watch Canada vs. Matildas on TV and live stream

Canada

TV: One Soccer

Live stream: fuboTV Canada

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Australia

TV: Channel 10

Live stream: 10Play, Paramount+

United States

TV: Fox Sports 2

Live stream: Foxsports.com, FOX Sports App

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.