Nigeria will take on the reigning Olympic Champions, Canada in the FIFA Women's World Cup Group B match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia. Nigeria, one of Africa's strongest teams, has already played Canada twice in FIFA Women's World Cup history. Their recent encounter in 2011 saw them win 1-0 against the Canadian team. Both teams have a rich history in the Women's world cup as Nigeria is the only African country to play in all nine Women's World Cup whereas Canada missed only the inaugural edition of the tournament. Read all the updates of the Nigeria vs Canada match in our LIVE Blog.

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Nigeria vs Canada | Match Details

Match: 4
Kick‑off: 8 am IST
Date: 21 July 2023
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia

Nigeria vs Canada | Stats to watch out

This match could see the participation of two of the oldest footballers: Nigeria's Onome Ebi, aged 40 years and 74 days, and Canada's Christine Sinclair, aged 40 years and 39 days. Both Onome Ebi and Christine Sinclair will be playing their sixth world cup.

Nigeria vs Canada Live Blog | Scores and Updates with Commentary

Playing XIs: Nigeria | NNADOZIE Chiamaka (C), PLUMPTRE Ashleigh, OHALE Osinach, OHALE Osinach, PAYNE Toni, OSHOALA Asisat, UCHEIBE Christy, ABIODUN Deborah. DEMEHIN Blessing, ORDEGA Francisca, ALOZIE Michelle

Playing XIs: Canada | SHERIDAN Kailen, BUCHANAN Kadeisha, QUINN, ROSE Deanne, GROSSO Julia, RIVIERE Jayde, HUITEMA Jordyn, LAWRENCE Ashley, SINCLAIR Christine (C), GILLES Vanessa, LEON Adriana

Nigeria vs Canada | Live Score: NGA 0-0 CAN

8.00 am IST | Kick off

Here we go. The African superpower takes on the Olympic Champions.

7' | Canada on the attack

Canadian fans at the stadium show #WeCAN as the 2022 Olympic Champions start on a positive note

9' | Sinclair's first attempt goes wide

On her 22nd FIFA Women's World Cup game, Christine Sinclair nearly found the net within the first 10 minutes of the game. She shoots the ball just wide.

14' | It is all about Canada till now

Nigeria have found it hard to find space and position against Canada. On the other hand, for Canada, Sinclair, Quinn and Leon have found it easy to be in position.

22 ' | First chance for Nigeria

Oshoala takes the first shot on target for Nigeria. With her pace from the left, Nigeria will always be dangerous. Kailen Sheridan makes a good save, her first of the match.

28' | Huitema heads it wide for Canada

A good cross from Ashley Lawrence had found Jordyn Huitema in the box. But, she heads it left to the goalpost. Canada looking good without converting.

34' | Deborah Aboidun takes her chance

Abiodun takes her chance from outside the box but she shoots it over the bar.

36' | Nigeria on the charge

Oshoala making another lovely run from the left. Kailen nearly made a mess of it, coming out of her box. But, it is all good in the end for Canada. Nigeria looking good.

45' | Half-time: NGA 0-0 CAN

It is goalless at Melbourne Stadium. Canada looked good in the first thirty minutes but since Oshoala found her rhythm, Nigeria were able to put some pressure back on the Olympic Champions.

46' | Sinclair appeals for a penalty; VAR Check; Penalty Given

Francisca Ordega was found guilty of the foul against Christine Sinclair. The referee gives it a penalty!

50' | Save by Chiamaka Nnadozie

A brilliant save by the Nigerian goalkeeper who dives to her left to deny Christine Sinclair from history.

64' | Change for Canada

Leon is replaced by Evelyne Veins.

65' | Evelyne nearly had the perfect start

Evelyne Veins nearly had made the perfect start coming from the bench. She had found a chance inside the box but could not send it past Nnadozie.

70' | Sinclair is substituted

Another change for Canada in search of their first goal of the match. Sophie Schmidt replaces Christine Sinclair.

75' | Nigeria fighting for their first goal

Two back-to-back chances for Nigeria one coming with a free-kick and one with a corner. But, Canadian defence was up to the mark blocking those attacks out.

79' | What a save by Kailen Sheridan

Canadian hearts were in mouths as Nigeria nearly had found the net. Although it was marked as off-side, Kailen Sheridan made a stunning save without even noticing it.

89' | "All we are saying is give us a Goal"

Nigerian fans chant at the stadium as they look for their first goal of the tournament.

90' | 8 added minutes

Plenty of time for both teams to score their first goal.

90+7' | VAR for a possible red card

A red card for Deborah Abidoun for a foul on Ashley Lawrence. She will miss the match against Australia.

Full time | NGA 0-0 CAN

Nigeria manages to earn a point against the Olympic Champions. Canada would be very much disappointed with the result. But, Nigeria were brilliant and tough.

2023 saw many iconic sporting moments throughout the 12 months. From Cristiano Ronaldo's welcome in Saudi, to Spain winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, or, from Virat Kohli scoring his 50th ODI ton to Sheetal Devi shooting an archery with her legs, we have seen it all. Here's 20 iconic sports photos from the year 2023.

#20 | Healy, the photographer

#19 | Spain win the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

#18 |Australia loves football

#17 | Messi magic in Miami

#16 |Lauren Hemp breaks Colombian hearts

#15 | Selfie of the year in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Zimbabwe 2023

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#14 | Danielle Collins' iconic serve

#13 | Postigo can do it on one foot

#12 | Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic

#11 | Cummins silences the Indian crowd

#10 | Chloe Kelly's bicycle kick

#9 | Kohli gets past the GOD

#8 | Saudi welcomes Cristiano Ronaldo

#7 | Wrestlers Protest

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#6 | Bou Samnang's inspiring last-place finish

#5 | Mad-Max-Well's double ton

#4 | Neeraj's gold and praise for Arshad

#3 | Australia crowned World Champions for sixth time

#2 | Armless archer Sheetal Devi creates history

#1 | Messi infinity

New coach Montse Tome was about to announce her squad on Friday for the Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26. Spanish Women's Football team continue to reject national team call-ups as they want more changes at the Spanish football federation following the scandal over Luis Rubiales' kiss."

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Spanish football is in the mud since Rubiales forcibly kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips in front of the world's media after Spain defeated England in the Women's World Cup final on August 20 in Australia. 81 Spanish players, including the 23 world champions wrote a letter last month stating they would not play for the national team without significant changes at the head of the federation.

Since then Rubiales has resigned and the football federation sacked their controversial coach Jorge Vilda. Spanish media said the players would release a statement outlining the changes that they still expect to see before they return to the pitch.

World Cup-winning Spain midfielder Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual and a Spanish judge has summoned Rubiales to appear in court on Friday in a sexual assault investigation. Luis Rubiales stood down from his post on Sunday, three weeks after the incident during the final medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup triumph. He continued to insist on his kiss on Hermoso's lips to be consensual.

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"What we had is a spontaneous act, a mutual act, an act that both consented to, which was driven by the emotion of the moment, the happiness, so I maintain that that is the truth of what happened," Luis Rubiales told TalkTV show Piers Morgan Uncensored.

The 46-year-old described the kiss as "non-sexual". He also compared his behaviour to how he would act with his daughters. "My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100 percent non-sexual, 100 percent, I repeat, 100 percent," said Rubiales.

"You can imagine if you win the lottery or hopefully soon one day the war in Ukraine finishes, I mean celebrations will go on up and down the globe," he added. "People don't ask permission, it's just a happy, happy time and people celebrate. Of course, I have said it from the beginning, I made a mistake, and I apologized in a sincere manner," he further added.

Over 80 women's players went on strike from the national team. Spanish Football Federation sacked the controversial coach Jorge Vilda. The former chief stepped down on Sunday to help Spain's 2030 men's World Cup bid, as well as his family who came under pressure after his actions.

Spanish public prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against football chief Luis Rubiales for sexual assault after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent. Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rubiales faced backlash after a video went viral on the internet. Rubiales kissed Hermoso during the medal ceremony of Spain's Women's World Cup triumph in Sydney on August 20.

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"The prosecutors request that Luis Rubiales be questioned as an accused and Jenni Hermoso as a victim," the prosecutors' office said in a statement. It happened after Hermoso filed a complaint at the National Court on Tuesday, formally accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.

If the judge accepts the request, a magistrate will be assigned to head an investigation. It will end either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or dismissed. Under Spanish law, sexual assault includes a wide array of crimes from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different penalties. The punishment for a non-consensual kiss can range from a fine to four years in prison.

Hermoso's complaint against Luis Rubiales:

Hermoso said the unwanted kiss had left her feeling "vulnerable and like the victim of an assault". On social media, she described it as "an impulsive, macho act, out of place. There were no type of consent on her part.

She also accused Rubiales of pressuring her to speak in his defense immediately after it went viral on social media. World football governing body FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days after he refused to resign from his post. 81 players went on strike from the women's side in protest after Rubiales' "false feminism" speech.

In a statement last week Rubiales reiterated that the kiss was "a mutual and consensual act" with "overflowing jubilation on both sides". The RFEF apologized for the "totally unacceptable behaviour" of Rubiales on Tuesday and fired Jorge Vilda.

The Spanish soccer federation fired Women's National Team coach Jorge Vilda, just three weeks after his team won the Women's World Cup title and the controversy involving suspended federation president Luis Rubiales.

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Jorge Vilda was among those who applauded Luis Rubiales when he refused to resign despite facing widespread criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the title celebrations in Sydney last month.

Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture after the final, has been provisionally suspended by FIFA and is facing a Spanish government case against him for the conduct that prompted a storm of criticism and led to widespread calls for his resignation.