Denmark beats Canada 4-3 in women's soccer friendly at BMO Field

Holdt leads Denmark past Canada in Toronto

Denmark defeated Canada 4-3 in a women's international soccer friendly at BMO Field in Toronto on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, with Olivia Holdt scoring twice and adding an assist for the visitors. Pernille Harder and Janni Thomsen also scored for Denmark, while Delaney Pridham, Evelyne Viens and Olivia Smith replied for Canada in front of an announced crowd of 12,112. The match was played on a warm, mostly sunny afternoon at the lakefront stadium.

Defensive lapses undermine Canadian effort

Canadian head coach Casey Stoney has emphasized the need for more clinical finishing from the Canadian women's team, but defensive miscues proved more decisive in the friendly. Holdt opened Denmark's scoring in the 24th minute after Canada's Julia Grosso failed to corral a pass from defender Kadeisha Buchanan at midfield; Holdt took possession and launched a long-range shot that sailed over goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Moments later, another errant Buchanan pass created a turnover that led to Harder's goal in the 27th minute, and in the 32nd minute an Ashley Lawrence pass to Rose was turned over down low, allowing Holdt to complete her first international brace. "I think there were some off-moments tonight that cost us dearly," Stoney said.

Pridham and Smith score for the hosts

Pridham opened the scoring for Canada in the 10th minute, converting from close range after Kaylee Hunter headed the ball low into a packed penalty area; the strike was her first goal with the women's senior team. Viens pulled Canada within one in the 49th minute when a sliding shot deflected off a defender and bounced into the top corner, and Smith added a third goal from outside the box in the 70th minute, beating goalkeeper Freja Thisgaard at her near post. Canada fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation while ninth-ranked Denmark deployed a 3-4-3, with Jessie Fleming wearing the captain's armband for the hosts.

Stoney still seeking first win over top-15 opponent

The result extended Stoney's search for a first victory against a top-15 opponent since taking over as Canada coach in January 2025. The two-match series finished level, after the teams played to a 1-1 draw on Friday in Montreal; Canada won the unofficial shootout 4-2 in that game after Smith's late goal. Stoney's side is next scheduled to open its CONCACAF W Championship campaign against No. 54 Panama on Nov. 28, with the tournament serving as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Thomsen restores cushion as Denmark holds on

Thomsen restored Denmark's two-goal lead in the 61st minute, slotting a ball between two defenders and past Sheridan. Canada's substitutions of Pridham and Buchanan for Viens and Shelina Zadorsky early in the second half helped lift the tempo, but the 12th-ranked Danes held on after Smith's third Canadian goal. Forward Evelyne Viens said afterward, "They made us pay for all of our mistakes. It was pretty clear."