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Wednesday, September 9, 2026
England battle for draw in World Cup opener 
England 1 Canada 1
Rachel Maltby held her nerve from the penalty spot in the dying moments to earn England a 1-
The Young Lionesses looked to be heading for defeat after Annabelle Chukwu had broken the deadlock early in the second half, but Maltby's composed strike with just four minutes of normal time remaining ensured the points were shared in Poland.
The contest began as a cagey midfield battle, with both sides comfortable in possession but struggling to carve out clear openings. England fashioned the first opportunity after 15 minutes when Princess Ademiluyi pounced on a loose back pass from Stephanie Schoeley to Canada goalkeeper Noelle Henning, but the angle proved too tight as she slid in ahead of the advancing keeper.
The Young Lionesses continued to apply pressure, and Lola Brown delivered a dangerous cross into the box after regaining possession in the final third but it was repelled by the Canadian defence. On the half hour mark, Ademiluyi came within a yard of connecting with Eleanor Klinger's deep delivery from the right, as England threatened to break the deadlock.
Maltby stood over a free kick from 30 yards with ten minutes remaining in the half, forcing the Canadian defence to scramble clear. At the other end, Kaylee Hunter found space inside the penalty area but dragged her low shot wide from 15 yards, with Katie Cox untroubled. Canada came close again soon after though when Hunter, having drifted from an offside position, turned on to her right foot and fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area.
England finished the half on the front foot, with Ria Bose unleashing a long range effort from 35 yards that Henning was able to block, as the sides went in goalless at the interval.
Lily Dent raced through one-
The breakthrough arrived in the 52nd minute, when second half substitute Chukwu collected the ball in midfield, drove forward and got past Bose before beating Cox from close range to give Canada the lead.
Hunter then came within inches of doubling the advantage after England lost possession inside their own area, leaving her through one-
As the match entered its final ten minutes, Chloe Sarwie linked up with Chloe B Hylton – fresh off the bench – to win a corner, though Vera Jones's delivery evaded every England player in the box. Jessie Gale, another substitute, looked to make an immediate impact with a powerful strike from 30 yards, but her effort drifted wide.
England's persistence was rewarded with four minutes remaining when referee Anahi Fernandez awarded a penalty after an on-
England will take confidence from their late fightback as they turn their attention to Tuesday's Group A encounter against Tanzania, with the Young Lionesses eager to build on this opening day result.
England Under-
Canada Under-