Janine Beckie scored after 19 seconds in the Corinthians Arena as Canada, the surprise team of the last Olympics, carried on where they left off in England to stun Australia in São Paulo. Top scorer in London 2012, Christine Sinclair pressed Alanna Kennedy into a mistake, raced clear and squared for Beckie to tap home.

It was not until Canada attacked again in the 16th minute, that Australia were able to threaten. Samantha Kerr beat Buchanan to a long ball but shot tamely at Labbe with Heyman well-placed. The same tactic caught Canada out again shortly after, Shelina Zadorksy sent off after hauling down Heyman. Elise Kellond-Knight swinging the free kick against the crossbar. Kerr then kneed the ball narrowly wide as Australia started to dominate. Kerr then beat Labbe to another long pass, with substitute Quinn overtaking Heyman for the loose ball with the goal gaping. Labbe then made amends denying Kerr after a slip by Wilkinson in a breathless first half.

The dangerous Kerr was surprisingly withdrawn in favour of Steph Catley but the one-way traffic continued, Labbe punching over Gorry’s long-range effort. Canada had reorganised at half-time, their English manager, John Herdman dropping Sinclair back into a compact 4-4-1 that Australia struggled to play through despite dominating possession.

In a capricious game, Canada were then awarded a 73rd minute penalty for handball by Caitlin Foord but Beckie missed the chance to seal the game as Lydia Williams saved. Williams then inevitably undone her good work as she let Jesse Fleming’s tame shot squirm through her legs before being reprieved by Alleway’s goal-line clearance. Williams was not so lucky minutes later as she charged out to the edge of the centre circle in an attempt to beat Sinclair to Fleming through pass but she was beaten by the veteran who rounded the goalkeeper to score her 163rd international goal. With European Champions Germany still to play, Australia now have their work cut out to qualify for the knock-out stages.