Photo by Erich Schlegel/USA TODAY Sports

By AARON CRANFORD

Canada is currently finding its luck from the penalty spot thus far in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Canada benefited from a controversial penalty decision in its first group match, as Christine Sinclair buried the game-winning chance from the spot vs. China, and against New Zealand Thursday at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, the Canadian captain and company were on the favorable side of fortune, as New Zealand midfielder Amber Hearn pinged the crossbar from the spot.

And with the game moving on, it was Sinclair who had one of the better chances for the hosts, as she attempted a volley from the right, but her chance was parried up and back off of the crossbar, much to the disappointment of all 35,544 fans.

With the 0-0 draw to New Zealand, Canada currently tops its respective group, but with China and Netherlands both sitting on three points, its clash with the latter in its third and final group game is a vital one. New Zealand currently sit last in Group A with a single point.

Here’s a closer look at Thursday’s other Women’s World Cup result:

GERMANY HELD TO DRAW BY NORWAY

After its 10-0 drilling of Ivory Coast, most expected Germany to roll through Group B, but Norway proved a formidable foe, and Maren Mjelde would be the one to salvage a point for Norway in a 1-1 draw.

Anja Mittag gave the Germans the early lead in the first half, pouncing on a poor parry from Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth.

However, in the second half at Lansdowne Stadium, Mjelde finished a beautiful free kick from just outside of the penalty area to split the points with Germany.

THAILAND TRUMPS IVORY COAST

Orathai Srimanee netted two goals in the first half to give Thailand the edge vs. Ivory Coast, and it remained resilient throughout the 90 minutes to claim all three points, its first points in Group B.

Srimanee would lead the charge for Thailand in a 3-2 civtory, netting a brace for the Asian Football Confederation representative, while Thanatta Chawong netted the game-winning third goal in the 75th minute, but her goal was not without controversy. In the buildup to the headed effort, Anootsara Maijarern looked to be played on in an offside position, but after some comical errors, Chawong capitalized.

Ange Nguessan and Josee Nahi grabbed Ivory Coast’s two goals, but the latter’s was just a consolation.

With its effort, Thailand sits behind Germany and Norway in third with three points, and Ivory Coast sits dead last with zero points in Group B.

CHINA SURPRISES NETHERLANDS WITH LATE GOAL

With miss after miss, China and Netherlands looked destined to finish nil-nil, but Lisi Wang had other plans, burying an injury-time winner to stun Netherlands, 1-0, in Edmonton.

China looked the more likely to net in the first half and even into the second half, as chances went ever-so close to breaking the deadlock. The team’s persistence finally paid off in the end when Tan Ruyin sent a splendid cross over the top of the Netherlands backline, and Wang was there to touch it home for the late win.