Canada won 1:0 over host Azerbaijan in the Group A finale at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012. Valérie Sanderson scored the lone goal of the match early in the second half as Canada finished group play undefeated with seven points (two wins and one draw). The 29 September victory at Dalga Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan confirmed Canada's place in the quarter-final phase of the 16-team competition.

Canada had plenty of chances, but only converted once on a second-half goal by Valérie Sanderson. According to in-match statistics, Canada fired 27 shots and held 63% of the possession. Azerbaijan, on the heels of an admitted poor performance and 0-11 loss to Nigeria, was resolute in its defence throughout the match. Goalkeeper Aytaj Sharifova made saves on six of the seven Canadian shots fired on target.

In the first half, all nine of Canada's chances missed the target, including perhaps the best opportunity in which Sanderson shot high. The lone shot on goal in the first half was in fact struck by Melis Sarialtin, who in the 45th minute had a bit of space outside the box before firing a shot that forced Canada's Kailen Sheridan to dive for a save.

Finally early in the second half, Canada took its 1-0 lead on the goal by Sanderson. After Prince chased a cross down to the touchline, she played it back into the box for Amandine Pierre-Louis who immediately flicked the ball over the Sanderson. As quickly as it came to her, Sanderson re-directed the ball on target, but the shot was stopped by goalkeeper Aytaj Sharifova from the ground. Off Sharifova's foot, the ball bounced back to Sanderson who, on her second chance, made no mistake for a 1-0 Canadian lead.

Canada had more chances in the second half, in fact firing all seven of its shots on target in the second half. No more goals were scored - or needed - for the win and a spot in the quarter-final phase of the competition.

The 29 September match was played with 5,000 fans in attendance at Dalga Arena. Goal scorer Sanderson was selected Canada's player of the match.

CANADA-AZERBAIJAN LINEUPS:
Canada's starting XI featured Kailen Sheridan in goal, Larisa Staub at right back, Kadeisha Buchanan and Rebecca Pongetti at centre back, Madeline Iozzi at left back, and Rebecca Quinn, Ashley Lawrence, Amandine Pierre-Louis, Valérie Sanderson, Nichelle Prince and Elissa Neff from the midfield up through to the attack. In the second half, coach Bryan Rosenfeld switched Pierre-Louis with Summer Clarke (73'), Neff with Nicole Loncar (80'), and Prince with Emily Pietrangelo (90+2').

Azerbaijan's starting XI featured Aytaj Sharifova in goal, Zhala Mahsimova at right back, Amina Heydarova and Suheyla Iltar at centre back, Olya Shioshvili at left back, Nigar Jalilli at right midfield, Maia Dangadze and Sabrina Ronaghi at centre midfield, Shafag Nasirova at left midfield, and Aliya Valiyeva and Melis Sarialtin up front. In the second half, coach Sissy Raith replaced Valiyeva with Leila Solmaz (57'), Mahsimova with Aysun Aliyeva (64'), and Sarialtin with Laman Baghirova (90+2').

CANADA QUALIFIES FOR QUARTER-FINAL PHASE:
As it did at New Zealand 2008, Canada finished the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 group phase undefeated to qualify for the quarter-final phase. At New Zealand 2008, Canada and Denmark finished even with five points, but Canada finished second with fewer goals scored (both teams were +1, but Denmark scored three goals while Canada scored two goals). At Azerbaijan 2012, Canada and Nigeria finished even with seven points, but Canada finished second based on goal differential (Nigeria was +14 while Canada was +2).