Canada's WNT qualifies for 2023 World Cup with shutout victory over Panama
CBC
It wasn't pretty but Canada got the job done Friday in downing a stubborn Panama side 1-0 at the CONCACAF W Championship to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.
Costa Rica's 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago earlier in the day meant beating Panama would secure qualification for the Canadian women with one group game remaining at the eight-team tournament.
No. 57 Panama did not make it easy for sixth-ranked Canada on a windy night at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico.
Canada dominated play with Panama looking to frustrate, relying on fouls to break up the action — often delaying the ensuing free kicks by not retreating from the ball.
Panama players also went down often with the team's trainers getting a workout, trundling onto the field with regularity.
"It's a great learning experience," said Canada coach Bev Priestman. "Was it good enough? No. And everybody knows that. But we won . . . and we move on."
WATCH | Julia Grosso builds on goal total in Canada victory:
Friday's result assured Olympic champion Canada (2-0-0) of a top-two finish in Pool B and a berth in the semifinals, which means making the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
No. 37 Costa Rica (2-0-0) has also qualified from Canada's group.
The third-placed team in each group moves on to a World Cup intercontinental playoff.
Canada's breakthrough came in the 64th minute via Julia Grosso, who opened her senior scoring account with two goals off the bench in Tuesday's 6-0 win over No. 76 Trinidad and Tobago.
A Panama defender attempted to clear a Jessie Fleming cross only to see the ball go right to Grosso.
The 21-year-old Juventus midfielder neatly shifted the ball to evade a defender and poked it home.
Canada had 69 per cent possession and outshot Panama 12-4 (7-2 in shots on target). Panama opted for a low block, stringing defenders across the field.
