Five years ago, Sweden fell in the Olympic final against Germany. On Friday, it was time again when Sweden faced Canada. None of the teams made any changes compared to how they lined up in their respective semifinals. However, Madelen Janogy was missing from the squad due to injury.
Ten minutes into the match, Sweden created the match’s first hot goal chance. Sofia Jakobsson went down on the right wing and found a post. The ball flew through the penalty area and ended up with left back Magdalena Eriksson on the opposite side. The defender went on the shot and was a decimeter from giving Sweden the lead.
Just over five minutes later it was time again. Rolfö got the ball 25 meters from goal and finished on one. However, Rosengårds goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé was able to parry fairly easily.
At the same time, Canada was not uneven. Above all, a lot went through Nichelle Prince in the offensive direction.
But it was Sweden who had the upper hand – and in the 29th minute Sofia Jakobsson got a nice opportunity to make 1-0. Rolfö came to the post on the right edge, where Sofia Jakobsson reached the top of the box. But again, Labbé was able to save.
Sweden would still take the lead! Kosovar Asllani broke free and found Blackstenius, who on a strike in the box scored 1-0.
In the second half, Sweden did not slow down. The pressure was high and Canada had an extremely difficult time establishing any form of attacking play.
Just over an hour into the match, Amanda Ilestedt fielded Canada’s veteran Christine Sinclair. VAR went in and the judge sentenced him. Jessie Fleming stepped forward and rolled in 1-1.
The goal gave Canada energy and the pressure increased on the Swedes.
With 12 minutes left of regular time, Asllani turned around on the left wing and found Rolfö obliquely-inward-backwards. The striker finished on one and the ball rolled JUST outside.
Sweden did not come any closer than that, and the whole thing went into extension.
After almost a hundred minutes, where it was really tired legs in many places, Blackstenius managed to find an end from a distance. But the ball went a few meters outside. No more chances happened during the first quarter.
With ten minutes left to penalties, Lina Hurtig got a great opportunity to make it 2-1. But the nod on Asllani’s corner was not well directed. In attack after, Jordyn Huitema got at least as good a position, but like Hurtig, the Canadian’s nod went a good distance outside.
The drama grew with each passing second. Three minutes before the extra time was over, Jonna Andersson sent in a post against several Swedes in the box. The ball seemed to go in but went just outside.
Time was too short to get to a winning goal, and penalties had to make the decision …
Asllani started by dotting the post.
Fleming gave Canada the lead. 0-1.
Then Nathalie Björn was able to equalize, 1-1.
Hedvig Lindahl saved Canada’s second penalty, 1-1 after two rounds.
Olivia Schough stepped forward and pounded in 2-1.
It was followed by a rib hit from Vanessa Gilles. 2-1 to Sweden after three rounds!
However, Anna Anvegård missed Sweden’s fourth penalty and Canada had the chance to equalize …
BUT! Lindahl saved and Caroline Seger was able to decide … But she shot over.
Canada set its fifth penalty and it was equal after the five regular rounds.
Jonna Andersson stepped forward, but missed, and Canada had the chance to decide … Which they did. Olympic gold to Canada.
Startelvor
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl – Hanna Glas, Amanda Ilestedt, Nathalie Björn, Magdalena Eriksson – Filippa Angeldahl, Kosovare Asllani, Caroline Seger – Sofia Jakobsson, Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö.
Canada: Stephanie Labbe – Ashley Lawrence, Vanessa Gilles, Kadeisha Buchanan, Allysha Chapman – Quinn, Desiree Scott, Jessie Fleming – Christine Sinclair – Janine Beckie, Nichelle Prince.
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