Janine Beckie and substitute Sophie Schmidt scored early in the second half to lift Canada to a 2-1 win over Nigeria’s Super Falcons in a friendly on Monday.
Jayde Riviere, an 18-year-old from Markham, Ontario, making her first start and third appearance for Canada, set up both goals with crosses.
Desire Oparanozie had given Nigeria a first-half lead in the World Cup warmup at Pinatar Arena.
Fifth-ranked Canada, which defeated No. 3 England 1-0 last Friday, improved its record to 4-0-2 in 2019.
Chances were rare early in the first half.
Nigeria’s Rita Chikwelu, taking advantage of a poor pass from Kadeisha Buchanan, put a long-range shot on goal in the 25th minute but it went straight at McLeod.
Nigeria went ahead in the 26th minute when Uchenna Kanu outdistanced two Canadians and found Oparanozie behind the defence.
Buchanan raced back but Oparanozie put on the brakes and the sliding Canadian went past her.
Oparanozie, who plays in France for Guingamp, then curled a low shot past McLeod and did a victory dance.
It was the first goal Canada had conceded in 2019 after five clean sheets.
Sinclair, Schmidt and goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo came in to start the second half, replacing Huitema, Grosso and McLeod.
Beckie tied it up early in 47th minute, acrobatically swinging a leg just outside the six-yard box to hammer home a Riviere cross.
The ball went just over Sinclair’s head with three defenders caught out of position as Beckie pounced on the ball for her 25th international goal.
Riviere played provider again in the 53rd minute, sending in a cross for an unmarked Schmidt to head into the lower corner of the net for her 19th goal.
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