Canada shocked the four-time Olympic and reigning world champion the USA with 1:0 in the first semi-final of the women’s football tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The Canadians won the match thanks to a goal by Jessie Fleming in the 74th minute from a penalty. The penalty kick was awarded after consultation by the referee Kateryna Monzul with VAR. The Canadians will face Sweden in the final.
The Americans were the better team overall, especially in the second half, in which the goalkeeper of the Canadian team Stephanie Labbe made several saves. In the first half, the American team had to make a forced substitution due to the injury of the titular goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who gave her place to Adrianna Nichole Franch.
The highlight was in the 74th minute when the Canadians received the right to execute a penalty after a violation by Tierna Davidson against Canadian reserve Deanne Rose. Goalkeeper Adrianna Nichole Franch deflected the direction of the shot of Jessie Fleming, but the penalty was shot very well and the ball ended up in the net. This was the first accurate shot in the goal for the Canadians in the match. In the short time remaining until the end of the match, the Americans failed to create a serious goal situation and had to accept defeat.
Canada achieved its first victory over the United States in women’s football since March 2001 and only fourth in the 62 matchs between the two teams. For the first time in history, the Canadian footballers will play in the Olympic final.