We've seen a yellow card upgraded to a Red Card for a very poor foul on the standing foot of Ashley Lawrence as Deborah Abiodun will miss the last few minutes but also a suspension for the clash with Australia.

Substitute Cloe Lacasse has spurned a fantastic opportunity for Canada, a poor clearance gave the Canadians a 4 on 1 attack but Lacasse just took too much out of the attack and was relieved of the ball by a very reliefed African defender.

The officials have indicated 8 minutes of stoppage time at the end of this half. It promises to be a nervy affair as Nigeria have more work to do to keep their higher ranked opponents from grabbing a goal.

Canada are applying all the pressure here but are struggling to generate a real scoring opportunity as the game ticks into added time.

Nigeria were unable to take advantage of another defensive mistake by Canada as Nigeria looked vunerable at the back through the closing stages.

Viens almost found a yard of space but her effort was blocked and cleared by a horde of green clad defenders.

A phenomenal one on one save from Kailen Sheridan put her name in consideration for the hero of the game, regardless of the offside decision that would have cancelled the effort out regardless. As Nigeria showed how dangerous they can be when opportunity arises. Ten minutes to play here as the current goalless draw is a big boost to Ireland's hopes of qualification from the group.

The attendance is announced as 21,410 at the game, a long way short of the capacity in Melbourne.

The Nigerians almost seem to have gotten in the way of their own attempts from the set piece. The resulting corner is cleared eventually by Canada.

Play continues, appears to have been no penalty on this occasion as the Nigerians start to believe. Ashley Lawrence picks up a booking for a foul on the fresh legs of Kanu.

Another penalty shout from Jordyn Huitema as her effort comes back of a Nigerian body. There's a VAR check for this one also, but it looks less like a penalty this time around.

Barely on the pitch a minute Evelyne Viens almost found the breakthrough, a good move from another substitute Cloe Lacasse led to Viens latching on to a knock down but she couldn't find the accurary or power to beat the Nigerian keeper.

Canada are beginning to look a little worried as the game progresses towards the hour mark. Nigeria are proving difficult to break down and even creating a few chances themselves.

Sinclair has been foiled from the spot as Nnadozie gets down quickly to stop the initial penalty and recover to scoop the ball away from the feet of two onrushing Canadian players.

The penalty has been award to Canada after a review.

We're back and almost immediate we have a VAR replay on a tackle in the box on Christine Sinclair. The veteran forward believes she has been fouled in the Nigerian box. We've seen a penalty in every game so far. Will game three keep up the trend?

HALF TIME: Nigeria 0-0 Canada

Toni Payne has finally arrived, the Nigerian midfielder looks the most dangerous member of the Super Falcons and her deflected effort has earned her side another corner but Oshoala is unable to concern Sheridan in the Canadian goal.

Almost a disaster for the Olympic champions as a mis communication between Sheridan and Buchanan almost gave the African side a tap in but Asisat Oshoala wasn't able to guide it in to the unguarded goal from an acute angle with the Canadians scrambling the ball clear.

The Nigerians must have been reading these updates, Francisca Ordega finds some space out wide and whips in a cross which gets deflected off Quinn for a corner. The corner is cleared as far as Christy Ucheibe but her effort from 30 yards goes comfortably over the Canadian cross bar.

Nigeria have been dogged in defence but will need to offer something different if they want a chance of getting a goal themselves in this encounter. It's almost entirely all Canada so far.

A decent opportunity for Canada as Jordyn Huitema gets on the end of a centre from Ashley Lawrence but she can't direct her header on target.

We're finally seeing a bit of creativity from Nigeria as Ifeoma Onumonu forces a decent save from Sheridan as the ball almost crept into the bottom corner from just outside the box.

A lunging tackle from Michelle Alozie gives Canada an attacking set piece opportunity but a better punch from Chiamaka Nnadozie who picks up a knock from her own player as she comes through the traffic in her box.

A poor fisted clearance from Nigeria give Buchanan a volley but it's blocked as Quinn also see her effort cannon back of a green leg to safety.

Good work from Leon and Lawrence earns Canada the first corner of the encounter.

It's very one sided in the game so far as the African side are really struggling to get the ball out of their half as the North American's are enjoying virtually all the possession. Christine Sinclair has the first meaningful effort on goal.

Early calls from Canada as Leon is bundled over on the endline in the box but no penalty or VAR check for the Canadians.

The second game in Group B has started as Nigeria seek to overcome favourites and current Olympic champions Canada.