Abbotsford’s Sophie Schmidt and Canada’s National Women’s Soccer Team must overcome another European side this weekend to advance further into the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
If Canada defeats England, it will be the second time in team history that they reached a World Cup semifinals.
Canada topped Group A, beating China 1-0 in their opener before drawing with New Zealand and the Netherlands.
The Canadian women enter Saturday’s match coming off a historic win against Switzerland, as it was the first time Canada defeated a European side at the World Cup.
Canada’s all-time record against England is 5-6, with the two teams recently meeting in Hamilton in a pre-World Cup friendly. Schmidt hit a superb one-time strike from the edge of the box that lifted her side ahead 1-0, and proved to be the game-winner.
The English come into this match following a historic victory themselves. Their win over Norway was the side’s first in the knockout stages of a World Cup.
England finished Group F in second, falling to France in their opener, but securing 2-1 victories over Mexico and Colombia.
This year’s English squad, ranked sixth in FIFA World Cup Rankings, is the highest-ranked team the country has produced.
Canada is ranked eighth.
The game kicks off Saturday, 4:30 p.m. at BC Place.
Check abbynews.com for live blogging and post-game coverage.
