Christine Sinclair converted a penalty kick in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, giving host Canada a 1-0 win over China on Saturday in the opening match of the Women's World Cup on Saturday.
Canada was awarded the penalty by Ukrainian referee Natalia Rachynska after Adriana Leon was fouled by Rong Zhao. The sellout crowd of 53,058 at Commonwealth Stadium, the largest for a national team sporting event in Canada, roared when Sinclair's shot sailed past goalkeeper Wang Fei.
Sinclair's goal erased a frustrating match for Canada, which outshot the visitors 14-5.
Following the gala opening ceremony that included performances by Canadians Sarah McLachlan and Tegan and Sara, China came closest to scoring with a first-half free kick that bounced off both posts.