Canada wrapped up its preparations for the World Cup with a final tune-up match against Ireland that ended in a 1-1 draw. According to City News, the result keeps the national team unbeaten in its last seven matches, a run the squad will carry into the tournament as it gets ready for its opening game on home soil.
There was a notable moment before kickoff, with Montreal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin on hand and exchanging jerseys with Alphonso Davies. The Canadian star, however, is expected to miss Canada's first World Cup match, an absence that hangs over the build-up even as the rest of the group sharpens its form in these final friendlies.
In goal, Maxime Crepeau got the start after recently being named Canada's number one for the tournament. The Quebec native was visibly emotional during the national anthem, given the significance of playing in his home province just days before the World Cup begins, and he would go on to play a decisive role in the match.
Canada took the lead in the 23rd minute, and the goal came from a set piece. From a Stephen Eustaquio corner, the delivery into the box deflected off an Irish defender and ended up in the back of the net, an own goal that handed the hosts a 1-0 advantage and rewarded their early pressure.
The lead did not last, however. In the 57th minute, a Canadian player was penalised for a high boot inside the area, conceding a penalty and picking up a yellow card. Crepeau got down to save the initial spot kick, but Ireland reacted quickest to the rebound and tucked away the follow-up to level the score at 1-1.
Crepeau was called into action again in the 83rd minute, coming up big with another stop to deny Ireland a late winner. Canada's first-choice keeper finished the night with two saves, an outcome the broadcast noted is significant in a sport where goalkeepers are not always tested so directly, and his work preserved the draw.
Afterwards, the message from the Canadian camp was one of satisfaction with the performance. In terms of mentality, intention and the principles the team wants to play by, the objective for the night in front of the home crowd had been completed. Some might be disappointed by the scoreline, the camp acknowledged, but there were plenty of positives heading into the first game, with only a couple of things still to work on.