Canada shocked the United States in the semifinals and will compete for the Olympic women’s football gold medal

Canada shocked the United States in the semifinals and will compete for the Olympic women’s football gold medal

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After the celebration was over and the Canadian players began to go to the locker room, captain Christine Sinclair stayed for a while.

She lay alone on the grass of Kashima Stadium, immersed in this moment.

comfort. Excited. redemption.

“We finally won. For those of us who participated in the 2012 competition, we are very happy to avenge ourselves in the Olympic semifinals,” Sinclair said.

After nine years of heartbreak and controversy at Old Trafford in London in 2012, the Canadian women’s football team defeated the number one American team 1-0 in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics on Monday.

The only goal in this game came from Jessie Fleming of London, Ontario, who scored a penalty kick in the 74th minute.

Find live broadcasts, must-see video highlights, breaking news and more in a perfect Olympics package. Following the Canadian team has never been easier or exciting.

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Fleming was calm under pressure and a perfect blow sent the Canadian team into the championship.

“I have confidence in where I am going. I usually choose this place the night before,” Fleming said of her kick.

“It’s just a kick. Believe in yourself. Take a deep breath. I know I can do it.”

Watch | Jesse Fleming scored on a penalty kick to relieve Canada:

The Canadian women’s football team defeated the number one American team 1-0 in the semifinals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 1:55

The gold medal battle is waiting for you

Canada now continues to participate in the Olympic gold medal competition for the first time in the country’s history.

After playing for Canada for so many years on the court, Sinclair had a smile on his face when interviewed by the media.

“Our goal here is to change the color. Two back-to-back bronzes. We are a little tired. This team, wow. What a great performance. What a good fight. There is one more,” she said.

Fleming celebrated after converting the penalty that sent Canada to the Tokyo Women’s Football Final. (Martin Benetti/AFP via Getty Images)

Due to the video review in the second half, Fleming’s goal became possible-it was ruled that Canada’s Dean Rose was knocked down by Tirna Davidson in the penalty area, and Canada was sentenced to a penalty kick.

“It is really special to be able to contribute to the victory. There is a group of players in our team who have worked for this for 20 years. It means a lot to see them crying after that game,” she said.

“We heard you went home. Thank you for your support.”

A rare victory comes at a critical moment

This marks the second time the United States has not advanced to the championship game. Since 1996, Americans have participated in every final, but only once at the Rio Olympics.

This is only the fourth time Canada has beaten the United States in 64 games.

The victory was won in the empty Kashima Stadium on a hot and humid Monday afternoon in Japan. Canadians celebrated wildly on the lush stadium, huddling together, dancing, yelling and singing.

Watch | Canadian women’s football advances to the Olympic final:

Midfielder Jesse Fleming scored a penalty in the 75th minute, and Canada defeated the United States 1-0 to advance to the women’s gold medal game. 1:28

“Indescribable. How long do I remember to ask the referee? How long? When the final whistle sounded, I fell to my knees with joy. Thank goodness. Thank goodness, this moment,” Desiree Scott said.

“This is incredible.”

‘Change color’

Canada now faces the winners of Australia and Sweden, which will be decided later on Monday. The gold medal match will be held in Japan at 11 am on Friday and in Canada at 10 pm on Thursday.

After winning the bronze medal back to back, the slogan of these games from Canada was “change the color.” Now they have a chance.

“I am proud of this team. This is a unique group. This is a special group. I am honored to be one of them. We fight for everything,” Sinclair said.

“I talked to Desi Scott and we said we had waited 9 years before we had a chance to participate in this game again. We will do everything possible to achieve a different result. We did it.”

Most of the early games of the game were played in the last game of the Canadian team, because powerful Americans wanted to put pressure on high-stakes games-in fact, in the first 10 minutes, the Canadians tried to move the ball. Passed midfield.

The game was fierce, fierce, and it was clear that the player’s emotions were high.

The Canadian team’s first somewhat threatening opportunity came in the 14 minutes of the game, when Nichel Prince tried to track the ball in the US penalty area but was defeated.

Prince’s charge seemed to arouse the enthusiasm of the Canadians, as they were rewarded with more organized games on the two corner kicks.

“I am proud of my team. They are my best friends. I am glad we brought back a better medal than the bronze medal,” said player Quinn, whose name is the same.

“I did this for someone I admired since I was a kid. Just like Cinsey.”

American goalkeeper injured

In the 19th minute, American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher shot into the air, cleared the threatening ball from Canada, and landed awkwardly on her right knee. She lay on the court for a few minutes, then got up and put her weight on her right leg.

After a delay of more than seven minutes, she was happy to leave and stay in the game-but it only lasted a few minutes. After the kick, Nahe felt obvious pain and left the game.

Adrianna Franch took over the rest of the work.

Watch | American goalkeeper Nach is injured:

In the first half of the semifinal against Canada, American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher suffered a significant knee injury and was eliminated. 1:46

After a few crazy minutes, the game subsided and both teams gained a foothold. Neither side hit the target in the first half.

An old score solved

Sinclair and Scott were the only two players to play for the Canadian team on Monday. They were also the players who participated in the infamous game at Old Trafford nine years ago.

Sinclair staged one of the greatest performances of a Canadian football player’s history, a hat trick. But this is not enough.

What happened on the court in August 2012 will never be forgotten.

Those chaotic late games were full of confusion, and confusion and frustration still lingered.

In a puzzling penalty by Norwegian referee Christiana Pedersen, Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod was punished for delaying the game for holding the ball for more than 6 seconds. This is a call that few people have ever called.

The Americans won a free kick outside the Canadians. In that kick, Marie-Eve Nault of Canada was charged with a handball in the penalty area.

American player Abby Wanbach equalized the score.

After the game, the then head coach John Hedeman had a livid face.

“After watching the replay, she must sleep in bed tonight. She must endure this,” he said on that August day. “We will start from here, I want to know if she can do it.”

The team keeps going. Sinclair moved on.

Canada is entering the championship.

“The first job has been done for us, changing the color,” Sinclair said.

“Now that we are in the finals, we are going all out. We are ready.”

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