They were up, they were down, they were doomed. It was excruciating and terrifying and beautiful all at once.
But in the end those kicks fell their way, and a ball that was bashed off the left foot of Julia Grosso, and then the hand of Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl, was the difference between a crushing defeat and the biggest victory in Canadian soccer history.Photo by Francois Nel“I’m completely overwhelmed,” said Christine Sinclair, the captain who watched the penalty shootout with her teammates, having been substituted late for fresh legs. “We don’t make it easy on ourselves.
“And to be a part of this group, standing at the top of the podium? Honestly, I never thought I’d be a part of that.”Article contentWith the victory at International Stadium Yokohama, which stretched into the late hours of a sweltering night after the last-minute venue and time switch of the game to avoid blistering midday Tokyo heat, Canada managed the rare feat of winning three straight knockout games without a goal from open play.
“I mean, I’m allowed to enjoy the moment, aren’t I?,” she said, the big smile on her face again. Labbé said she plays the game for moments like that, so she’s absolutely going to relish them.Article contentThere were long stretches of the game where it did not seem like Labbé would have the chance to perform her shootout heroics. Sweden dominated most of the first half, with a 10-3 advantage on shots and Canada unable to put a single shot on target.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Olympic soccer gold-medal game: Canada vs Sweden at a glanceThe all\u002Dtime leading international goal scorer with 187 goals, Sinclair of Burnaby, B.C., has scored once at Tokyo 2020, and is likely playing her final…
Read more »
Heat concerns push Canada-Sweden gold medal soccer match to Friday nightOlympic organizers are changing the start time of the women's soccer gold-medal game between Canada and Sweden.
Read more »
Canada vs. Sweden women's soccer final moved to evening due to heat concernsCanada and Sweden will play for gold on Friday at 8 a.m. ET in the women's soccer final at the Tokyo2020 Olympic Games. Kickoff was originally set for Friday morning (11 a.m. local time, Thursday 10 p.m. ET).
Read more »
The history of the Canadian women's soccer team: From men's hand-me-downs to gold-medal gameAs Canada prepares to play for an Olympic women\u0027s soccer gold medal, it’s worth remembering how it started
Read more »
The history of the Canadian women's soccer team: From men's hand-me-downs to gold-medal gameAs Canada prepares to play for an Olympic women's soccer gold medal, it’s worth remembering how it started, and that means going back to 1986. Read: The history of the Canadian women's soccer team: From men's hand-me-downs to gold-medal game:
Read more »
Canada-Sweden women's final delayed 10 hours: Olympic gold-medal match moved due to Tokyo heatSo, instead of beginning Thursday night in Canada, at 10 p.m ET, it kicks off Friday at 8 a.m. ET
Read more »