ANALYSIS + HIGHLIGHTS: Cornelius stunner lifts CanMNT past Wales for perfect Sept. window
The Canadian men's national team completed a near-flawless September international window on Tuesday, as they defeated Wales 1-0 at Swansea.com Stadium on the Welsh coast.
Derek Cornelius was the hero for Canada on both sides of the ball in this one, scoring the lone goal and doing plenty of defensive work as the Canadians survived a difficult test against the world's 31st-ranked side. Now, after this win and the 3-0 triumph in Romania, Canada have completed a perfect pair of international friendlies and won back-to-back games on European soil for the first time ever, showing their mettle against competitive opposition as they continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
True to his word after implying he wouldn't rotate heavily from the Romania game, Jesse Marsch made just two changes to his starting XI, both of them expected. Dayne St. Clair got the start in goal instead of Max Crépeau, while Nathan Saliba played in midfield instead of Stephen Eustáquio who has returned to Porto with a minor injury.
Much like they did against Romania, Canada began the game at breakneck pace. They were aggressive and, as the first 10 minutes wore on, Canada seemed to sense that they could have success by pressing high. The Welsh defenders — fullbacks in particular — struggled to deal with Canada's pace and could frequently be lured into giving the ball away when Canada had numbers surrounding them high up the pitch.
Canada were denied an early penalty kick, when Wales debutant Ronan Kpakio clumsily brought down Richie Laryea in the box, but the referee waved it away. Still, it was one of several early bright moments from the Canadians, sprung by a marauding run through midfield from Ismaël Koné.
Not long after, Koné beat the Welsh keeper but hit the post, nearly finishing what was a gloriously intricate piece of passing play between Canada's attackers in the final third. Still, they continued to probe.
The left side seemed to be a fruitful area of the pitch for Canada, with Laryea causing constant issues for the 18-year-old Kpakio. Laryea's quickness, physicality and knack for winning a foul got under the Welsh players' skins a little, drawing some early bookings.
A physical tone would also play to Canada's advantage. After another handful of good chances for the visitors, frustration began to show in the Welsh players struggling to match the pace. Around the 40th minute, Wales' Harry Wilson pulled down Nathan Saliba a little outside the penalty area to set up a dangerous free kick for Canada.
Derek Cornelius, perhaps an unlikely candidate to provide dead-ball magic, stepped up and curled a gorgeous ball over the wall and into the top left corner of the net, giving the Canadians a lead heading into halftime.
GOLAZO 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) September 9, 2025
DEREK CORNELIUS NAH BRO
WHAT. A. FREE. KICK. 🤯#CanMNT up 1-0 on Wales 🏴 pic.twitter.com/QUIl5CXymb
This match unfolded similarly to the Romania game on Friday, in the sense that Canada had little possession, but did much more with the ball when they had it. In the first half, Canada created seven shots from just 38 per cent possession, while Wales had just one shot with 62 per cent. By the end, Canada had outshot Wales 12 to six despite only have 37 per cent total possession.
Canada showed that they were content to let Wales have the ball for extended periods, staying in a well-organized defensive shape to keep the hosts to the perimeter of the attacking half. Canada's pressing triggers were methodical; they weren't pulled out of position for futile endeavours, but rather moved forward as a unit to challenge for the ball and cause turnovers at key moments. When they did win the ball, they were decisive and direct, forcing Wales to chase them and lose their shape.
Canada attempted 115 passes in the final third and were accurate with 80 per cent of them, while Wales' success rate was just 57 per cent (from 17 fewer attempts).
(Photo by Audrey Magny/Canada Soccer)
The second half was undeniably more difficult for Canada, as Wales found their footing and managed to escape the press more consistently. They linked up their passing through midfield better, particularly via Wilson and Joel Colwill after he came on the pitch around the hour mark.
Still, it was a good experience for Canada to have to defend against an opponent that found new energy late in the match.
Canada certainly would've liked to score another goal or two against Wales, but Marsch and his staff will be happy that the opposition was good, and the match was competitive right to the end. It was an all-around positive experience for this Canada side as they try to become comfortable with matches like this against opposition of similar level to what they might see at the World Cup.
"This 10 days and how we've used it and maximized the themes we wanted to put into practice was probably the best 10 days we've had together," Marsch told reporters postmatch.
"There's a lot of positives to take away. What I've said about this next three windows is that we're treating them like one window, and I've challenged [the players] to now pick up where we left off one month from now, and make sure we continue the progress that we've developed."
It's hard to imagine a more positive window for Canada, who have been tested and passed. They didn't concede a goal, they pressed as well as they ever have under Marsch, and they survived some more challenging defensive moments, especially in this game against Wales. Plus, Canada scored two set-pieces on this trip, and nearly had a third with one Luc de Fougerolles chance that hit the crossbar.
"We've been challenging the group to understand moments, to have a little bit more savviness, to have more communication and leadership and continue to grow in our overall experience of how to manage games," Marsch added.
"I think with that challenge on the board, and the two performances we delivered and the way we sealed the wins late in the match, I think this was massive progress for us."
Marsch has made it clear in this window that, now that the Nations League and Gold Cup are over and only a few friendlies separate Canada from the World Cup, it is time to start homing in on what this team will look like in June. More than ever, the tactical identity looks concrete and clear; this team wants to play with energy and press high at intelligent moments, as Marsch has discussed before. Players like Laryea and Ali Ahmed have demonstrated that they can be ideal pieces of that identity, and it's undeniable that their stock has risen in the past week.
(Photo: Audrey Magny/Canada Soccer)
Box Score
Lineups
Wales: A. Davies; Kpakio (Thomas 70'), Cabango (Mepham 85'), B. Davies, Williams (Norrington-Davies 62'); Crew (Andrews 70'), J. James (Colwill 62'); D. James, Wilson, Brooks (Koumas 62'); Harris
Canada: St. Clair; Sigur, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan (Nelson 76'), Saliba (Waterman 90+1'), Koné (Choinière 76'), Ahmed (Shaffelburg 65'); Oluwaseyi (Bair 76'), J. David (Hoilett 65')
Goals
41' — Derek Cornelius (Canada)
Discipline
14' — Yellow: Richie Laryea (Canada)
25' — Yellow: David Brooks (Wales)
33' — Yellow: Harry Wilson (Wales)
36' — Yellow: Tajon Buchanan (Canada)
38' — Yellow: Charlie Crew (Wales)
89' — Yellow: Jayden Nelson (Canada)
Player of the Match
Derek Cornelius, Canada
Not only did he stun everybody by scoring that free kick in the first half, Cornelius was also exceptional defensively for Canada in a game that did require him to be toward the end. He made six tackles, two clearances and two interceptions, as well as one outstanding sliding block at the top of the box that may have prevented a goal.
What’s Next?
Canada will next be on the pitch together in the October international window. They'll be on home soil on Oct. 10 when they take on Australia in Montreal, before heading to Harrison, N.J. for a clash with Colombia on Oct. 14.
