Derek Cornelius had scored free kicks before, but this was different.

Despite Canada 's past struggles with set pieces, the former Vancouver Whitecaps center back stepped up and blasted a free kick from long range to secure a 1-0 win over Wales on Tuesday in Swansea.

“I was working on it in training this week,” Cornelius said after scoring his first goal for the country. “I felt confident and was in a good space, and I got good contact and it went in.”

Unheralded territory

The goal saw Canada wrap up the September international window with two wins and two clean sheets, after previously beating Romania, 3-0 , in Bucharest. It also marked the first time Canada had beaten three UEFA opponents in a row, having defeated Ukraine 3-1 in a home friendly in June.

“These 10 days and ho

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