Canada have won gold in the Women’s Olympic Football tournament after a 3-2 dramatic penalty shootout win against Sweden, following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time.
Sweden started the stronger of the two sides, controlling the ball and causing some struggle on the Canadian side. It didn’t took long for Kosovare Asllani and Blackstenius made an amazing lin-up play to beat the Canadian keeper inside the box (34th minute).
Sweden went into the halftime looking confident, but Canada came out in the second half with renewed energy. Their tenacity was awarded the 64th minute, when Amanda Ilestedt brought Christine Sinclair down in the penalty area.
At first, the referee didn’t acknowledge the challenge, but after a lengthy VAR review she awarded the spot-kick.
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Fleming, who had scored a penalty against the US Women’s National Team in the semifinal (who won 3-4 against Australia yesterday for the bronze), was handed the ball by Sinclair and sent Hedvig Lindahl in the wrong direction to bring the sides equal. With the match ending 1-1 after 90 minutes, the game went to extra-time and then penalties.
Then… What a penalty shootout!
After Jonna Andersson had missed for Sweden, the sixth missed penalty of the shootout, Julia Grosso stepped up and made no mistake to make it 3-2 and win gold for her country. An Adriana Leon miss had given Sweden a penalty to win shortly before, but captain Caroline Seger could not take the opportunity as she blazed over.
Now, all we can say is… Congratulations, Canada! You’re now Tokyo 2020 Women’s Olympic Football Champions!
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