Sheridan stars as Canada downs Argentina in penalty shootout at SheBelieves Cup

Argentina defender Aldana Cometti (6) heads the ball during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer match between Canada and Argentina, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

HARRISON — Canada exits the SheBelieves Cup on a winning note — and a much-needed reset after ending 2025 on a five-game losing streak.

Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan stopped two penalties to help Canada defeat Argentina 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a scoreless 90 minutes Saturday.

“I had no doubt that we would win that penalty shootout. Not a single doubt,” said Canada coach Casey Stoney, who coached Sheridan when both were at the NWSL’s San Diego Wave.

“I knew she’d save some. She’s world-class. She did it with (the) Wave many times … She just comes up big in those moments.”

Sheridan stopped Aldana Cometti and Sophie Braun with Vanina Preininger firing her shot over the bar to end Argentina’’s hopes.

Captain Jessie Fleming, Janine Sonis and Julia Grosso scored in the shootout. Grosso’s shot just made it, sliding in under Argentine goalkeeper Solana Pereyra.

Agostina Holzlieier and Agustina Vargas scored for Argentina. Pereyra denied Jordyn Huitema.

Under tournament rules, there is no extra time with drawn matches going straight to a penalty shootout.

The 10th-ranked Canadians opened the tournament in style last Sunday, snapping their lengthy losing streak with an impressive 4-1 win over No. 20 Colombia in Nashville. They then lost 1-0 to the second-ranked U.S. on Wednesday in Columbus.

It was a third straight loss for No. 30 Argentina, beaten 2-0 by the U.S. and 1-0 by Colombia.

Canada dominated the second half Saturday, penning the Argentines in their own end.

Argentina started to foul more as Canada continued to press. And the South American players wasted time, hitting the deck and requesting medical attention — no doubt with an eye to getting to penalties.

Substitute Cloe Lacasse had a chance to win it for Canada in the 89th minute, after a terrific through ball from Fleming, but her shot hit a defender.

Stoney rued missed opportunities, saying her team had eight or nine quality scoring chances.

The unbeaten U.S. faced Colombia in the late game Saturday in the tournament finale at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Canada had won all eight previous meetings with Argentina, downing the South Americans 1-0 the last time they met in Langford, B.C., in April 2025. The Canadian women also won 1-0 when the teams faced off at the 2021 SheBelieves Cup in Orlando.

Stoney, whose side has been dealing with illness in camp, made seven changes to her starting lineup with Fleming, Jordyn Huitema, Marie Levasseur, Brooklyn Courtnall, Kaylee Hunter, D.B. Pridham and Annabelle Chukwu slotting in.

It was a first start for the 19-year-old Chukwu and first cap for the 18-year-old Hunter.

“Obviously it’s a big decision to put young players in from the start in a competitive game like this, but there was no doubt that both of them could go in and compete,” said Stoney. “And I thought both of them did really well.”

“We came into this tournament with an intention to find more out about them and we’ve done that today,” she added.

Chukwu, who broke Christine Sinclair’s Canadian youth scoring record, started up front with Ottawa Rapid star D.B. Pridham. Chukwu plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame, where she is coming off a first team All-ACC selection as a sophomore.

Hunter, who was second to Pridham in Northern Super League scoring with 16 goals for AFC Toronto, added to the attack from the flank.

Next up for Canada are games against No. 6 Brazil, No. 21 South Korea and No. 64 Zambia in April in Brazil as part of the expanded FIFA Series.

The 2026 Series follows a pilot project in 2024 which featured 24 teams playing in five locations across three continents. The 2026 edition features 36 men’s and 12 women’s sides, divided into 12 groups of four.

Canada is preparing for the eight-team CONCACAF W Championship in November that serves as a 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympic qualifier.

The Canadian Press