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Canada's send off to the World Cup was a successful one, beating England 1-0 at a sold out Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton on Friday night. They will now spend the weekend training in Toronto before leaving for Edmonton ahead of their World Cup opener against China on June 6.

England weren't at their best as they still adjust to life in Canada, but it was still a very positive night for the Canadians who grew into the game as the match progressed.

Here are three things to take away from the victory:

1. Stand-out Sophie

Sophie Schmidt scored her 16th international goal to win the game for Canada, and she won't have scored many better in her career. It was super strike from the edge of the penalty area, and she took it in such a nonchalant manner. It was a goal worthy of winning any game. I loved her honesty during the halftime interview saying when she tries something like that, it never usually works!

John Herdman was full of praise for Schmidt following the match even daring to compare her performance to "Christine Sinclair" level and suggesting that the Abbotsford, BC native has the potential to be one of the top midfielders at the World Cup.

It wasn't just the way she scored the goal. Her all-round performance was excellent on Friday night creating attacking opportunities for both herself and others, while also doing a good job breaking up play. If Canada is to go deep in he tournament some of the more experienced players in the squad will need to step up and dominate games, and Schmidt showed against England that she has the ability to do that.

2. Attacking Full Backs

Movement and flexibility is key within Herdman's side. They kicked off the match in a 4-3-3 formation but really that is just a starting point. One of the big issues heading into the game was an injury to starting right-back Rhian Wilkinson - it's a major doubt as to whether she will be fit for the game against China - but Josee Belanger came in and did a good job getting forward down the right side.

Belanger isn't a full back, she has spent most of her career much further up the pitch, but while defensively she will have to be on a steep learning curve, her presence in the side fits Herdman's desire to have his full backs push forward and join the attack. Belanger did that against England, and her positive play enabled her to pick up an assist on Schmidt's goal. Allysha Chapman did the same down the left, at times almost playing as a winger, as Desiree Scott would drop in between the central defenders to start an attack, allowing the full backs to push further up the pitch.

3. Experiencing the Pressure

Friday night's game was nowhere near the level pressure that the team will face in Edmonton next weekend but it was a valuable test for the players to be in front of 23,000 fans and experience the partisan atmosphere.

Herdman felt his team started slowly. He had told them to look around during the anthem, soak it all in, use it as a mental exercise to ensure they are prepared when they are in a similar situation at Commonwealth Stadium. Maybe the pressure impacted their first 20 minutes, but following that, the team settled into the game and looked the better side for much of the match with England rarely troubling Erin McLeod in the Canada goal.

It was a much improved display from Canada after a disappointing performance in a goalless training match against Nigeria in Toronto earlier in the week. With a win, and the opportunity to play in front of the home fans one final time, there was plenty for Canada to be happy about as they head into their final days of World Cup preparation.

Canada opens the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup against China live on CTV and the TSN Network June 6. Coverage from Commonwealth Stadium begins at 5pm et/2pm pt.