The temperature was about 20 degrees warmer and the players faced heavy rain on the field instead of snow, but the result for Canada’s national soccer team on Monday night was the same as in 2021.
Jonathan Osorio scored for Canada in the 58th minute of the second half and Jayden Nelson added an insurance marker a minute after the break in a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan at Commonwealth Stadium. It was the first of two friendlies before the World Cup.
Now Oluwaseyi delivered a clear shot to Osorio from outside the right side of the box and his shot deflected off goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov.
Get the latest national news
Get the latest Canadian news in your inbox as it happens, so you never miss a trending story.
Nelson then slotted the ball past Nematov from close range in the first minute of stoppage time.
The last time Canada played in Edmonton, in November 2021, they played in temperatures of -9 Celsius on a frozen field surrounded by snow. It was warmer on Monday, around 11 degrees Celsius, but the pitch was waterlogged after two days of heavy rain that continued throughout the match.
More than 44,000 fans braved the cold in 2021 and Monday’s attendance was announced at 46,164.
Canada had a decided advantage in time of possession and field position in the first 15 minutes, but could not penetrate Uzbekistan’s five-man defense inside the box. Canada created several potential scoring opportunities, but couldn’t finish off their close passes.
Uzbekistan had the best chances to score in the first 45 minutes. Eldor Shomurodov had three great chances, but failed to convert. He was sent on alone in the sixth minute, but his shot at Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau went wide of the net. Crepeau also stymied Shomurodov with outstanding saves in the 26th and 43rd minutes.
But Canada, with multiple substitutions in the second half, was even more aggressive in attack and began to find cracks in Uzbekistan’s defense. Canada created a number of good scoring chances that ultimately resulted in goals and the win.
Team Canada now heads to Montreal to play its final pre-tournament game against Ireland on Friday.
For the World Cup starting June 12, Canada is in Group B with Switzerland, Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
&copies 2026 The Canadian Press
