EDMONTON - Christine Sinclair scored a stoppage-time penalty to help Canada beat China 1-0 at the Women's World Cup opening game on Saturday.

Canada forward Christine Sinclair (12) celebrates a goal on a penalty kick against China during the second half in a Group A soccer match in the 2015 women's World Cup at Commonwealth Stadium.  [Photo/Agencies]

The hosts were awarded the penalty when Chinese midfielder Zhao Rong fouled Adriana Leon. And Sinclair, who was isolated upfront throughout the game by China's mass defence, made no mistake from the spot.

China survived a scare at the third minute when their goalkeeper Wang Fei denied two shots from Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan.

The visitors' best chance came at the 21st minute as midfielder Wang Lisi's free-kick hit the post.

Six minutes later, Canada also nearly score through Josee Belanger who hit the bar with a long shot.

China did not create any other serious scoring chances, making the absence of their leading goalscorer Yang Li painfully noticeable.

Yang was dropped out of the squad due to knee injury at the end of May when China were preparing for the World Cup in Seattle, the United States.