Christine Sinclair came close to becoming the first player ever to score at six different FIFA World Cups.
The 40-year-old stepped up to take a penalty kick 51 minutes into Canada's Group B opener against Nigeria on Thursday night.
But she was denied a history-making goal by a fine diving save from Nigeria keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The game ended 0-0.
Sinclair already holds the record for scoring the most international goals, having netted 190 for Canada since making her debut 23 years ago.
The 40-year-old forward has scored 67 more international goals than Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds the record in men's soccer.
Ronaldo made history in Qatar last year when he became the first player to score at five FIFA Men's World Cups.
But Sinclair is one of two women to have scored at five FIFA Women's World Cups. The other is Brazil legend Marta, 37.
Marta will get her chance to break the record she currently shares with Sinclair and Ronaldo on Monday when Brazil begin their 2023 Women's World Cup campaign against Panama.
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