Christine Sinclair has been denied a place in Women's World Cup history from the penalty spot as Olympic champions Canada were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria in their tournament opener.
Talismanic leader Sinclair, Canada's all-time leading scorer, was central in the key moment as she won the spot kick early in the second half.
But her shot was brilliantly saved by player-of-the-match Chiamaka Nnadozie, who reacted quickly to punch clear the loose ball.
It sent Nigerian fans wild in the 21,410-strong crowd at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and earned the Super Falcons a well-deserved point ahead of their meeting with co-hosts Australia next week.
But they finished the match with 10 players after Deborah Abiodun was sent off in stoppage time for a late tackle on Ashley Lawrence.
It was Nigeria's first goalless draw at the WWC in 26 matches.
Sinclair is aiming to become the oldest scorer in WWC history in her sixth appearance at the tournament.
The 40-year-old also squandered the best chance of the first half when she found herself unmarked on the edge of the box but sent a rising shot high and wide in the ninth minute.
Nigeria eventually worked their way into the contest and Ifeoma Onumonu forced a low save out of Kailen Sheridan with a long-range shot that was curling into the bottom corner in the 23rd minute.
It was the only shot on target in the first half, though not through either side's lack of willingness to get forward.
Sheridan had a nervous moment in the 35th minute when she rushed off her line and failed to deal with a pass that had been played over the top of the Canadian defence.
Asisat Oshoala couldn't capitalise on the blunder, poking the ball back across the six-yard box, and the fortunate goalkeeper was bailed out when Vanessa Giles and Ashley Lawrence combined to clear the danger.
The second half began in a flurry as Sinclair won the penalty, clipped by Francisca Ordega as she moved away from goal in the box.
The spot kick was awarded on review and Sinclair stepped up, only to send a tame shot towards the bottom corner.
Nnadozie denied the veteran with a strong left-handed save and punched away the rebound, to the delight of the noisy Nigerian fans in the stands.
Canadian substitute Evelyne Viens got into a brilliant close-range scoring position but poked a 65th minute shot straight at Nnadozie.
Abiodun was sent off deep into stoppage time and Canada couldn't make the numerical advantage count.
