Canada stun Sweden on penalties to win first ever women's football gold

Canada surprised many as they got their hands on Olympic gold for the first time in the history of their women's national team. After a thrilling 120 minutes were insufficient to separate the two sides, the match was decided by a penalty shootout that went all the way to sudden death. Grosso scored the winning spot kick to spark wild celebrations from players and staff alike.

Sweden started the brighter of the two teams and were rewarded with a deserved goal on the 34th minute. Quinn lost the ball in the middle of the park and allowed Asllani to capitalise, as she fired a cross into the box and onto the foot of Blackstenius who scored first time past Labbe. Sweden took that slim advantage into the break.

Beverly Priestman made a number of changes for Canada at half-time and early on in the second half, and they looked to have an immediate effect. On 64 minutes Sinclair appeared to be brought down in the box, although the referee initially didn't see a foul. However, a VAR intervention and a second look on the monitor changed her mind, the penalty eventually given.

Just like she had done in the final against USA, Flemming stepped up and slotted home a deserved equaliser on 67 minutes. She sent Lindahl the wrong way and hinted at a potential turnaroud for the Canadians, but it was Sweden who should have won it in the closing minutes of the match. Rolfo fired wide from close range and Buchanan cleared off the line from a tame Asllani effort in a ten-minute period of domination which would continue into the extra thirty necessary to separate the two sides.

After Sweden's efforts were limited to long range in the first half, they had a number of golden opportunities in the closing stages which really should have won the match. Hurtig's first effort had the bench on their feet after her fine header flew just wide, although an easier opportunity with just a minute remaining ended up well off target. Unfortunately for the Swedes, they would go on to regret these mistakes.

Even in the penalty shoot-out they looked to have it in the bag. Seger stepped up with the scores poised at 2-1 in her side's favour, having the chance to win it with the last of the five spot kicks. The experienced veteran blazed her effort over, however, and Canada were able to turn it around thanks to Rose from the spot and heroics from Labbe between the sticks.

Up stepped Grosso with Canada's sixth penalty of the shoot-out. Unlike Seger just moments before, she made no mistake from 12 yards, as players and staff erupted in emotion to celebrate their country's first ever gold medal in women's football at the Olympics. While the stadium may have been eerily quiet, there were sure to be millions more in similar jubilant celebrations watching from their TVs at home.

 

August 6, 2021