ANALYSIS + HIGHLIGHTS: CanMNT held scoreless in frustrating loss to Australia
The Canadian men's national team didn't manage to find the back of the net on Friday night at Montreal's Stade Saputo, as they lost 1-0 to Australia in a frustrating interational friendly defeat.
The loss is Canada's first in 90 minutes since March 20 against Mexico, breaking a run of nine matches unbeaten in regular time. It was their first defeat on home soil since Nov. 21, 2023 against Jamaica.
As Jesse Marsch had suggested the day prior, this was a game in which Canada were protagonists, holding the majority of possession and trying to break down a tough Australian defensive shape. In the end, the Canadians were unable to do so, conceding a sloppy goal late to lose the match.
It had been a bright start for Canada, who immediately took control of the ball and looked for ways to break down Australia's defensive structure. Tajon Buchanan needed just under three minutes to find Canada's first major chance, with a deft flick over a defender to take himself into the box. Socceroos captain Alessandro Circati came sliding in to deny him, and the referee ruled no penalty despite Canadian protests.
After surviving the early threats, though, Australia settled into the game and began to establish their low block. They collapsed defensively toward the middle of the pitch, standing in a well-organized 5-4-1 formation that also covered the width of the field to prevent easy overlaps.
When Canada moved into the attacking half slowly, allowing Australia to set up in their shape, they had difficulty getting the ball into any dangerous areas. Canada's best moments came from when they managed to stretch things out a bit, playing more direct out wide to get in behind the wing-backs and mitigate the effect of Australia's wide backline.
Buchanan was the main engine and beneficiary of those moments; he was constantly running behind Kye Rowles on Canada's right wing, receiving balls over the top from either right-back Niko Sigur or someone in midfield. That's how Buchanan had four shots, two of them on target, in the first half; he was the only player finding space and driving into the penalty area.
Whenever Canada tried to play through the middle, they were usually met with an interception or tackle; Cyle Larin in the middle of attack was well-marked, and on the few occasions Canada got a ball over the top or in behind to him, his touch let him down. Ismaël Koné was the only Canadian player who had any joy in the central channel; not long before halftime, he forced a pass through midfield and chased it himself to pick off the heavy touch of a defender, continuing to dribble into the box and nearly scoring were it not for a good reaction from 'keeper Paul Izzo.
Oh SO CLOSE🤏
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 11, 2025
Ismaël Koné almost carves his way through Australia's defence, but he is denied of a goal at the last second#CanMNT pic.twitter.com/0nLOfDks2B
Koné's run was an excellent piece of individual skill, but also perhaps indicative of a little frustration creeping in for Canada as Australia remained so rigid in their shape.
The run of play was largely the same early in the second half, as Canada remained largely in control of the ball, but did get forward a bit quicker to make Australia's defenders and midfielders turn toward their goal and run to keep up. However, the Socceroos did threaten more at this point, drawing a good save from Max Crépeau about 10 minutes into the frame. Shortly after that, Circati had a golden chance in the box with Canada's defence out of shape, but he put a shot well over the crossbar.
The scare was all Canada coach Jesse Marsch needed to turn to his bench for the first time, bringing Jacob Shaffelburg and Promise David into the game to provide a different attacking dynamic.
Both subs had an instant impact, and Promise David came closer than anybody to scoring in the 70th minute when he had a short-range shot stymied on the goal line by Izzo.
Moments later, though, disaster struck for Canada: against the run of play, Mo Touré fizzed a low ball from near the corner flag into the box, to the feet of Niko Sigur — who didn't notice Nestory Irankunda speeding in behind his left shoulder. Irankunda slid in from the blind side to surprise Sigur and Crépeau and knock it into the net for an Australia goal.
GOAL🇦🇺
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 11, 2025
It's one to forget for the #CanMNT, as Nestory Irankunda capitalizes on a Niko Sigur mistake and slides home a shot to put his side up 1-0 pic.twitter.com/kk2WQCfJh5
Shaffelburg nearly played hero for Canada in the 90th minute, as an outstanding cross in from Liam Millar came to his feet below the penalty spot, but the on-running Shaffelburg couldn't do more with the shot than redirect it goalward. Izzo reacted well, deflecting it over the crossbar with his feet.
Another flurry of chances in the dying moments of the game truly tested Australia's resolve (and especially Izzo's). Promise David had a couple of attempts stopped, and one chaotic moment in the box saw a Tani Oluwaseyi header skip off the post and somehow stay out.
It was a frustrating evening for Canada, who once again had difficulty playing against a low block — albeit a better-organized one than those they saw at the Gold Cup over the summer.
In the end, Canada had 60 per cent possession and outshot their opponents 17 to five, forcing eight saves by the Australian keeper while allowing just one shot on target. Unfortunately, that one shot on target landed in the back of the net.
They were dynamic at times, particularly when Buchanan or Shaffelburg could get on the ball wide and at pace, but even on those occasions the finish was lacking.
So, there's perhaps even more pressure now on the Canadian side, who will face a more difficult Colombia side on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live on OneSoccer) — and in a more hostile environment.
Box Score
Lineups
Canada: Crépeau; Sigur (Oluwaseyi 78'), Waterman, Cornelius (De Fougerolles 69'), Laryea; Buchanan (Millar 77'), Saliba (Choinière 69'), Koné, Ahmed (Shaffelburg 63'); Larin (P. David 63'), J. David
Australia: Izzo; Italiano (L. Miller 57'), Circati, Degenek, Burgess, Rowles (Bos 57'); Metcalfe, O'Neill, Balard (Yazbek 57'), Irankunda (Arzani 90+3'); Touré (Duke 73')
Goals
72' — Nestory Irankunda (Australia)
Discipline
41' — Yellow: Mo Touré (Australia)
41' — Yellow: Derek Cornelius (Canada)
90+1' — Yellow: Richie Laryea (Canada)
90+1' — Yellow: Aiden O'Neill (Australia)
Player of the Match
Ismaël Koné, Canada
The Sassuolo midfielder has been one of Canada's best players in each of the last three matches, and he was the one making things happen again in this match, though it never translated into a goal. Koné made 54 passes with 90 per cent accuracy, won six duels, and had two shots of his own, also making two interceptions.
What’s Next?
Canada now head to Harrison, N.J. where they'll play Colombia next Tuesday, Oct. 14 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) in the final game of this international window.
(Photo: Audrey Magny/Canada Soccer)
