Canada ended England's 41-match unbeaten streak with a 24-21 victory during the WXV Global Series in Toronto on Friday. The win at BMO Field marked Canada's first victory over the world champions in a decade, following a previous draw between the two sides in September.

How did Canada secure the win?

Replacement player Shoshanah Seumanutafa provided the decisive moment, scoring a try in the 77th minute to give Canada the lead. The match was a back-and-forth encounter that saw several key scoring plays:

  • Savannah Bauder opened the scoring for Canada in the 16th minute.
  • England responded with tries from Maddie Feaunati and Zoe Harrison before halftime.
  • Alysha Corrigan scored for Canada in the second half to narrow the gap.
  • England's Sarah Bern added a try to extend their lead before Canada's late surge.

Canada's DaLeaka Menin also contributed a try during the intense match, which was played before a record-breaking crowd of 18,621 spectators.

Match context and tournament details

This victory follows a period of close competition between the two nations. Last month, Canada managed to end England's 39-game winning streak by playing to a 26-26 draw in Exeter. While England had previously defeated Canada 33-13 in the World Cup final last year, this Toronto performance demonstrated Canada's ability to compete with the top-ranked side.

In addition to the historic scoreline, the event set a new stand-alone attendance record for a women's rugby match in North America. The previous mark of 11,453 was established in August 2025 during a match in Ottawa.

Other WXV Global Series results

While Canada made headlines with their upset, other teams also competed in the tournament weekend. New Zealand secured a significant victory against an inexperienced French side, with Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a scoring four tries. Meanwhile, Australia defeated Scotland for the second time in two matches. During the Australian match, Desiree Miller became the first Wallaroo to reach 20 international tries.

FAQ

What was the significance of the attendance in Toronto?

The crowd of 18,621 set a new stand-alone attendance record for a women's rugby match in North America.

How long had England remained unbeaten?

England had maintained an unbeaten run of 41 matches prior to this loss.