Jessie Fleming scored a penalty in the second half when Canada defeated the United States, four-time Olympic women’s soccer champions, 1-0 on Monday in Kashima to reach the final for the first time.
Fleming’s pitch in the 74th minute earned Canada a first win over its neighbors since 2001 and set up a clash with Sweden or Australia for the gold medal.
The defeat ended the Americans’ 36-game unbeaten streak against Canada. The world champions will face the losers of Monday’s second semi-final for the consolation of a bronze medal.
The United States and Canada combined for seven goals the last time they met at the Olympics; a memorable 4-3 semi-final victory for the United States after extra time at Old Trafford in 2012.
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American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, the heroine of her quarter-final victory over the Dutch on penalties, required a lengthy treatment to her right knee after landing awkwardly while trying to pick up a cross.
Naeher, who saved a penalty in regulation time and two more in the penalty shootout against the 2019 World Cup runner-up, struggled briefly, but was eventually replaced by Adrianna Franch in the first half.
It was not until the introduction of Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and Christen Press in the hour that the United States registered a first shot on goal, a curly shot from Lloyd dunked by Stephanie Labbe.
Labbe stopped two when Canada edged Brazil on penalties in the previous round, and produced another strong save to avoid Julie Ertz’s header in a corner.
The United States had advanced to every Olympic finals except Rio 2016, where they lost to Sweden on penalties in the last eight.
However, they had only won once in four matches over 90 minutes in Japan and fell behind when Canada received a penalty following a VAR review.
Deanne Rose put pressure on Tierna Davidson and the Canadian collapsed after a leg mess, with the referee pointing out the spot after consulting the court monitor.
Fleming put the resulting penalty past Franch, and the Americans didn’t come back: Lloyd’s header cut the crossbar in the final minutes as their Olympics came to a tame end.
[Con información de AFP y AP]
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