Josee Belanger goal helps Canada beat Switzerland 1-0 at B.C. Place in Women's World Cup match

by Charlie Smith on June 21st, 2015 at 6:34 PM

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Josée Belanger's left-footed drive early in the second half was the difference in a Women's World Cup soccer match in Vancouver.

Canada's 1-0 win over Switzerland advances the host country to the quarter finals against the winner of England versus Norway.

Belanger 29-year-old native of Coaticook, Quebec, converted a short pass from the captain, Burnaby's Christine Sinclair. The crowd of more than 50,000 fans went wild at B.C. Place.

It could have been Belanger's second goal. Sixteen minutes into the first half, the Canadian forward hit the post with another shot.

That came three minutes after Sinclair was given a yellow card. Swiss midfielder Vanessa Bernauer and Swiss defender Selina Kuster also received yellow cards in the first half.

The two sides were evenly matched in ball possession.

Canada was ranked eighth going into the tournament. This is its fifth consecutive appearance in the Women's World Cup.