Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair stepped to the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time and buried what proved to be the game-winning goal to give Canada a 1-0 win over China in the first match of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Edmonton.
Here are Sinclair's post-match comments:
In front of a record crowd of 53,058, Chicago Red Stars forward Adriana Leon drew a penalty kick after being pulled down in the box late in stoppage time. Sinclair came to the spot and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, tucking the ball inside the post for her 154th career international goal.
READ:The evolution of Christine Sinclair
An goal of epic proportions puts Sinclair in elite company as she moves closer to surpassing American darling Mia Hamm on the all-time international scoring list. To top that off it was the latest go-ahead goal in regulation in Women's World Cup history.
Thorns FC midfielder Kaylyn Kyle entered the match in the 61st minute and provided a spark as she moves ever closer to her 100th career cap, making her 97th appearance for Canada in the victory. Read about the story behind the yellow sticky note Kyle's mom kept for 17 years and her dream to make the Canada Women's National Team.
With the win, Canada moves to the top of the group with three points, along with the Netherlands, and will square off against New Zealand on Thursday, June 11, in Edmonton; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific) on FOX Sports 1.
