Netherlands Women 1-1 Canada Women

Hosts Canada reached the second round of the Women's World Cup by finishing top of Group A despite drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands.

Coached by Englishman John Herdman, Canada went ahead when Ashley Lawrence scored early on.

But Kirsten van de Ven struck a vital equaliser with three minutes left.

China drew 2-2 with New Zealand to finish second, but the Dutch are likely to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

The top two from each group go through but with four of the six groups seeing a third-placed team progress, the Netherlands have four points and should advance.

The late leveller meant the game ended in subdued fashion from the hosts' point of view and despite finishing top of the group they could still face a tricky second round tie against a team from the group of death, featuring the United States, Sweden, Australia or Nigeria.

But a crowd of 45,420 were in fine voice in the covered stadium that held the 1976 Montreal Olympics as Canada reached the knockout stages for the first time since 2003.

Their progression will be a relief for tournament organisers with some stadiums struggling to fill up during the group stages.

The Netherlands, making their World Cup debut, could have equalised in the first half when Danielle van de Donk missed a great chance from a right-wing cross.

But they were thankful to substitute Van de Ven's late goal which should see them extend their stay in Canada.

Herdman's former team, New Zealand, exited the tournament.