Gilles powers Canada past Germany to stay unbeaten at Arnold Clark

Canada moved the top of the table at the Arnold Clark Cup on Sunday, beating Germany 1-0 at Carrow Road in Norwich.

Canada got off to a great start, taking the lead in just the seventh minute. After winning a corner, Janine Beckie fired a cross into the penalty box, where a waiting Vanessa Gilles had a pretty much uncontested header. She sent the ball back across the box, between German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and a defender, and into the back of the net for the only goal of the opening half, and the first goal of her international career.

Berger was perhaps lucky to still be on the pitch after a 52nd minute challenge that saw her bring down Nichelle Prince. Chasing down a pass through from Quinn, Prince tried to round the goalkeeper, but Berger left her penalty area and collided with Prince, not really making an attempt at the ball. It was a missed call from the referee, who also missed what appeared to be hand ball from Vanessa Gilles in the first half, and another foul on the edge of the box from Gilles in the second half.

Germany kept pushing for an equalizer, but they couldn’t find one, and Canada held on for a 1-0 victory. With the win, they move to the top of the table with four points, two points ahead of England and Spain who have two points each. Germany sit at the bottom of the table with a single point through two matches.

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Vanessa Gilles, Canada

While she was lucky to get away with a couple of borderline penalties, the Canadian defender scored the winning goal and impressed defensively.

What’s next?

In Canada’s third and final match at the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup, Canada take on Spain — who drew 1-1 with Germany in their first match and 0-0 with England in their second match. Canada vs Spain kicks off at 9:30 am EST on Wednesday, February 23, and can be watched on TSN.