Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team are into the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 after earning their second Group E victory 2:0 over New Zealand on 15 June from Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, FR. Canada will look to secure top spot in Group E in their final Group Stage match on 20 June against Netherlands in Reims, FR.

Jessie Fleming and Nichelle Prince scored for Canada with Stephanie Labbe earning her second consecutive shutout in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.

“We had more shots on goal today than we had in the first group stage match. It was all about finding a way," said Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller. "We don’t need to pass it in from five yards from the net, but, when we do it’s pretty good. We’re a gritty team. The team is getting better and better, as good teams do in these tournaments.”

After winning the ball back in the defending third, Janine Beckie played a ball over the top to Nichelle Prince who got onto the end of it and took it near the goal line. Prince pulled the ball back to inside the six-yard box to a waiting Fleming who buried the shot behind New Zealand GK Erin Nayler in the 48’.

"They were a tough opponent. I think defensively they were very tight and difficult to break down," said Jessie Fleming. "I think once we got the goal we were able to keep a little bit more possession and play how we wanted to, impose ourselves a little bit, but, they were very tough to break down."

On the second goal, Ashley Lawrence’s cross into the box to a waiting Sinclair went off the post in the 79’. Prince pounced on the rebound to secure the victory and three points for Canada.

Canada dominated possession in the opening half, for a second straight game. With a fluid formation that saw Jayde Riviere and Lawrence push higher up the pitch with Sophie Schmidt joining Kadeisha Buchanan and Shelina Zadorsky at the back, Canada found plenty of time on the ball in wide areas.

Beckie took a strike from wide on target in the early moments that challenged NZ GK Erin Nayler. With a back three, Canada were able to have their centrebacks step into the play for long spells in the first half.  Zadorsky played numerous balls over the top onto the head of Christine Sinclair and Prince but New Zealand were able to stay compact in defence and ward off most quality chances on goal. 

For Canada, the victory over New Zealand marked the first time in its FIFA Women's World Cup™ history that the team has defeated a Confederation Champion.

Undefeated in 10 straight matches, Canada tied its second-longest undefeated streak with the victory.