The Canadian women’s national soccer team won their first gold medal at the Olympic Games and went on to win the record-breaking USA Championship. And in the final, which moved from Tokyo to Yokohama, the Canadians won 3-2 in a thrilling penalty shootout on Friday. After 120 minutes the score was 1: 1. Stena Blacksteinius (34th minute) gave Sweden the lead, while substitute Janine Pique (67) forced overtime with her penalty kick.
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Sweden looked like a penalty shootout winner in a 2-1 lead, but Canada equalized again after five shots. Giulia Grosso converted the decisive penalty after goalkeeper Stephanie Lapp had previously saved. Canada won bronze in 2012 and 2016.
The day before, the bronze went to Team USA around top star Megan Rapinoe with a score of 4:3 (3:1) in the third-place match against Australia. After the last four gold victories (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012) and two World Cup titles in a row, the Americans were actually considered favorites for gold in Tokyo. Canada defeated the United States in the semi-finals. Germany’s Rio Olympic champion did not qualify for the Games in Japan.
The final was originally scheduled for 11 a.m. local time at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium. But due to the expected midday heat, both teams requested to move into the evening. However, as the athletics competitions were taking place at the National Stadium at the time, the match was rescheduled to 9pm at the International Stadium in Yokohama.