Ali Ahmed scores and sets up a goal in Canadian win over Romania in soccer friendly

Canada's Ali Ahmed celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during an international friendly soccer match between Romania and Canada at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

After exiting the Gold Cup in a painful penalty shootout loss to Guatemala in June, Canada got back on track Friday with an impressive 3-0 win over Romania.

Ali Ahmed scored a goal and set up Jonathan David for another to give Canada a 2-0 edge after 22 minutes. The Canadian men were not quite as dominant in the second half but added to their lead through Niko Sigur in the 77th minute.

“A complete performance … an intelligent performance,” said a satisfied Canada coach Jesse Marsch.

“It’s huge,” said Ahmed, who was sidelined by an ankle injury at the Gold Cup. “To bounce back 3-0. In Romania. Not at home. Everything that transpired at the Gold Cup … this is huge.”

It was a first-ever meeting between the 28th-ranked Canadian men and No. 48 Romania — and Marsch’s men showed well, leading the dance at the 55,634-capacity National Arena.

While the game was a friendly and Romania likely had its attention on Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, a free-flowing Canadian side excelled despite missing some important regulars.

Canada outshot Romania 16-11 (8-2 in shots on target).

David put Canada ahead in the 11th minute, with a stylish, glancing header off an Ahmed free kick for his 37th goal for Canada. Tajon Buchanan won the free kick, taken down by a Romanian defender.

David, extending his Canadian men’s goals record in his 68th appearance, has scored in his last three Canadian appearances and has seven goals in his last 10 matches.

Ahmed doubled the lead in the 22nd minute when Romanian goalkeeper Horațiu Moldovan was caught with the ball at his feet and Ahmed breathing down his neck. Moldovan, who plays for Spain’s Oviedo, on loan from Atletico Madrid, failed to dribble past the Vancouver Whitecaps winger and Ahmed tucked the ball in for his first Canadian goal in his 19th appearance.

Sigur made it 3-0, capping a pretty buildup that included a give-and-go with Tani Oluwaseyi for his second in Canadian colours.

Canada ‘keeper Maxime Crepeau did not have a lot to do but made a spectacular save in the 69th minute to deny Denis Dragus at close range with his defence found wanting.

It was Canada’s first win over a European team in Europe since downing Belarus 1-0 in March 2011 in Antalya, Turkey. Its last win over a European team playing on home soil was a 1-0 decision over Cyprus, currently ranked No. 128, in May 2009 in Larnaka.

The three-goal margin of victory was the largest in the history of the Canadian men on European soil (the previous biggest margin was two goals, achieved on three occasions).

Marsch said it was also the Canadian men’s biggest win in Europe ever.

“Obviously it’s a special win for us and another step, I think, for us on the way to making sure we’re a really good team next summer,” he said.

The Canadians now head to Swansea to face No. 31 Wales on Tuesday with Dayne St. Clair in goal. Marsch had promised both ‘keepers would get a game in this international window as he continues to evaluate the two contenders for the No. 1 job.

Canada then hosts No. 24 Australia in Montreal on Oct. 10, plays No. 14 Colombia in Harrison, N.J., on Oct. 14 and welcomes No. 25 Ecuador to Toronto on Nov. 13. Another opponent for the November FIFA international window has yet to be announced.

Canada was missing three of its normal back four with captain Alphonso Davies, Moise Bombito and Alistair Johnston all injured. Derek Cornelius was joined in the backline by Richie Laryea, Luc de Fougerolles and Sigur.

The injury list also included defender Sam Adekugbe, winger Liam Millar and forward Daniel Jebbison. Winger Jacob Shaffelburg was suspended after being red-carded at the Gold Cup, while Cyle Larin was absent because his wife is due to give birth.

Midfielder Stephen Eustaquio captained Canada in the absence of Davies.

The Canadian starting 11 went into the match with a combined 374 caps with Eustaquio, David, Buchanan and Laryea accounting for 233 of those.

Canada outshot Romania 9-4 (4-0 in shots on target) in the first half.

Tempers flared briefly early in the second half when Alex Dobre bodied Crepeau to the ground on a corner, with Cornelius quickly getting in the Romanian’s face.

Jayden Nelson, Nathan Saliba, Junior Hoilett, Promise David, Joel Waterman and Zorhan Bassong came on for Canada as Marsch rang in the changes after the hour-mark. Ismael Kone did not look happy after coming off, having words with the coach.

Marsch said the 23-year-old midfielder didn’t want to come off.

“He’s young, he’s got some maturity, some things to work on but we really like Ismael. He’s really important to us and no one’s taking that personally, that’s for sure,” he said.

Canada improved to 5-1-3 in 2025, with two of those draws turning into shootout losses.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2025