Kyle Tremblay’s last-play try rescued Canada from another painful Spain defeat as the World Rugby Nations Cup opener in Edmonton finished 42-42.
The official match centre confirmed six tries apiece at Clarke Stadium, with Takoda McMullin converting Tremblay’s 81st-minute score after Spain had looked set to leave Alberta with a second straight away win over Canada.
Canada Turn Pressure Into One Late Escape
Canada had the stronger territorial profile, making 525 metres to Spain’s 428 and holding 65 per cent possession, but the scoreboard stayed brutally level because Spain converted every visit into points. Alberto Carmona, Antonio Suarez, Tani Bay, Luca Tabarot and Kerman Aurrekoetxea all crossed for Los Leones.
Mason Flesch’s double gave Canada early and second-half punch before Jason Higgins, Tyler Ardron and Andrew Quattrin added further control. That mattered after ReadRugbyUnion had already flagged Ardron’s return as a key pressure point in Canada’s match-day selection.
The late rescue still leaves Stephen Meehan with a blunt review. Canada won the lineout 15 from 15, forced Spain into 14 penalties and spent long spells with the ball, yet needed the final act to avoid defeat.
For Spain, the draw underlined why World Rugby’s preview framed this as one of the Nations Cup’s most even rivalries. For Canada, it was a point saved rather than a problem solved.
