Penalty Save Prevents Christine Sinclair From Breaking World Cup Record Currently Shared With Cristiano Ronaldo And Marta

Christine Sinclair missed a penalty vs Nigeria. She would have been the 1st player to score at 6 World Cups. Cristiano Ronaldo and Marta have also scored at 5.

Christine Sinclair came close to becoming the first player ever to score at six different FIFA World Cups.

The 40-year-old stepped up to take a penalty kick 51 minutes into Canada's Group B opener against Nigeria on Thursday night.

But she was denied a history-making goal by a fine diving save from Nigeria keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The game ended 0-0.

IT'S SAVED FROM CHIAMAKA NNADOZIE 🧤🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/JfZRcv8nCw

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 21, 2023

This is 22 year old GK, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s penalty save earlier vs Canada during our FIFA Women’s World Cup opening fixture.

The kicker is Christine Sinclair —the greatest Canadian women footballer of all time.

pic.twitter.com/sMv7HhH6Kv

— Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) July 21, 2023

Christine Sinclair pictured (center) during Canada's game against Nigeria on Thursday at the 2023 Women's World Cup :: IMAGO/Sports Press Photo/Noe Llamas

Sinclair already holds the record for scoring the most international goals, having netted 190 for Canada since making her debut 23 years ago.

The 40-year-old forward has scored 67 more international goals than Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds the record in men's soccer.

Ronaldo made history in Qatar last year when he became the first player to score at five FIFA Men's World Cups.

But Sinclair is one of two women to have scored at five FIFA Women's World Cups. The other is Brazil legend Marta, 37.

Marta will get her chance to break the record she currently shares with Sinclair and Ronaldo on Monday when Brazil begin their 2023 Women's World Cup campaign against Panama.