There are no second chances. You win and you move on. We all know what the deal is with the knockout stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

On Sunday afternoon at Vancouver’s BC Place in front of 53,855 spectators, Canada used a massive burst of energy early in the second half to secure a spot in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over Switzerland.

Here are my three takeaways from the game:

A first half to forget

It was a rather disjointed effort by Canada in the opening half. There were a few pockets of energetic play, but the home side struggled with connecting passes and keeping meaningful possession.

Midfielder Ashley Lawrence was creating all kinds of space and was doing her best to shield the ball, but she had no one to give service to. Canada also kept much of their play in the centre of the pitch, rather than using the flanks.

Switzerland’s top players, Ramona Bachmann and Lara Dickenmann, came as advertised. They gave the Canadian back line fits in the first 45. They also made the defenders more honest in the sense they could not give away even an inch of space to the talented strikers, who were threatening every time they had the ball.

Post-match, goalkeeper Erin McLeod said in the second half, “we played like the Canada I know” and felt the team got better as the game went on.

And what did coach John Herdman say in the locker room during the half?

“We can’t have any regrets.”

Belanger moves up the field

After playing three World Cup matches as a right fullback, Josee Belanger was able to move up the pitch to her natural striker position with veteran defender Rhian Wilkinson making her first start of the tournament.

Belanger’s game-winning goal in the 52nd minute was the culmination of years of hard work. It’s not an exaggeration. She was away from the program for many years, tending to a bad ankle injury and had many moments of wondering if a return to the national team was in the cards.

It’s also fitting Wilkinson was the one who crossed in the original ball on Belanger’s tally. It was almost a situation coming full circle, because Belanger had done an admirable job playing in Wilkinson’s usual spot on the back line while she was injured.

Over the past few weeks, Belanger has shown she’s a true team player and is willing to do whatever it takes—including switch positions—to be a contributor.

Bachmann takes care of business

It’s an absolute thrill watching Switzerland’s Ramona Bachmann. She, along with fellow striker Lara Dickenmann, dictated the entire pace of the game.

At one point late in the opening half, Bachmann was surrounded by three red shirts deep in the Canadian third, and she was able to leave them in the dust. Throughout the match, she showed why her technical ability and vision is some of the best in the women’s game at the moment.

Bachmann’s numbers don’t lie. She’s netted 36 goals in 64 games for the Swiss. That’s an impressive rate of 0.56 goals per appearance.

It’s a shame we don’t get to see her more often because she’s absolutely a star.

Notes: Erin McLeod was selected player of the match… Midfielder Kaylyn Kyle earned her 100th appearance for Canada when she came on in the second half… This marks Canada’s first win in the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup since 2003… John Herdman admitted at his post-match press conference that Kadeisha Buchanan is injured, she hasn’t trained in three days and she almost didn’t play versus Switzerland.

Canada is back in action next Saturday in the quarterfinals, when they will face the winner of Monday’s game between England and Norway.