Canada stun USA with late VAR penalty

A 75th minute VAR penalty converted by Chelsea's Jessie Fleming gave Canada a surprise victory over the United States. The Americans were the better team for most of the contest, but they only became really threatening in the last 30 minutes when Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd were introduced into the game. 

Canada were awarded a penalty after Davidson fouled Rose and Fleming made no mistake from 12 yards. USA tried their best to get an equaliser and Lloyd struck the crossbar with a header four minutes from time, but the Americans came up short. It has been a disappointing tournament for the USA who have won just one of their five matches so far. Canada will face Australia or Sweden in the final while the USA will go into the bronze medal match. 

The Americans had more possession and territory in the first period, but Canada came the closest to scoring when Fleming's ball into the box saw keeper Naeher jump to catch the ball, but she dropped it after colliding with teammate Ertz. Naeher was unable to continue after the collision and Adriana Franch had to come on instead.  There was very little to report from the rest of the 51 minute first half and 0-0 was definitely a fair score at the interval. 

In the second period, USA started well again, but the main changes came when Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe were brought on on the hour mark. The Americans started to look much more dangerous and Lloyd's chip in the 65th minute saw Labbe have to get back to tip over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Ertz got on the end of Rapinoe's corner and was denied by a fine save by Stephanie Labbe again. However, against the run of play, disaster struck for the USA. 

Tierna Davidson tripped Deanne Rose inside the box and even though referee Kateryna Monzul did not see it initially, she gave the spot kick after a VAR review. Jessie Fleming stepped up and slotted the ball into the keeper's left hand corner. Franch went the right way, but was unable to reach it. It was a priceless goal for the Canadians completely against the run of play. 

USA then went forward desperately in search of an equaliser and could have easily levelled at the death when Megan Rapinoe put a fabulous cross into the box, but Carli Lloyd's header hit the bar. Time ran out on the USA and their disappointing Olympics campaign will end with a bronze medal at best. For Canada, it is the first time they have reached the final of the women's Olympic Football tournament after two consecutive third placed finishes.

 

August 2, 2021