Rio 2016: Canada wins bronze in nail-biting women’s soccer match

Canada has taken the bronze medal in women’s soccer for the second Olympics in a row, beating hosts Brazil in their own backyard. Canada took the game 2-1.

It was an active first half, with both teams playing aggressively and the action moving back and forth across the field in front of a roaring Brazilian crowd.

It was Canada that scored the first goal, 25 minutes into the game. Defender Ashley Lawrence got the ball and broke out ahead of the Brazilian defenders, then passed the ball across the Brazilian goal to forward Deanne Rose, who deftly kicked it in.

WATCH: Another call for celebration for Team Canada tonight. We’ve now won more medals in Rio than we did in London in 2012, and these games aren’t over yet.  The success of our athletes comes down to their strength and drive, but also to how much is invested in them. Vassy Kapelos reports. 

2:48 Rio 2016: The winning formula for Canada’s success in Rio

Brazil was definitely still in the game though. Neither side had a clear advantage in the first half, as both teams pressed for chances. But Brazil began to come on strong right at the end of the half – forcing Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe to make a quick save following a free kick from Brazil.

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Canada had another spectacular play early in the second half. Midfielder Jessie Fleming got possession of the ball and dodged several Brazilian defenders as she drove towards the Brazilian goal.

She passed to Deanne Rose, who passed it again to team captain Christine Sinclair, who kicked it in to make the score 2-0 for Canada.

Brazil didn’t seem happy about this turn of events though and came on strong, keeping the ball on the Canadian side in a relentless attack. A header off a corner kick from Brazil came dangerously close to the Canadian goal, bouncing just wide of the net. Brazil kept control of the ball through most of the second half, holding it on the Canadian side of the field.

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Eventually, Brazil’s continuous hammering of the Canadian side paid off: Beatriz scored for Brazil with 12 minutes to go, bringing the score to 2-1 and eliciting a massive cheer from the crowd.

Brazil’s hopes were re-ignited after that goal, and they continued to keep pressure and the ball on the Canadian side. Brazil just barely missed several shots on goal in the dying minutes of the game and as their frustrations boiled over, committed several fouls. But, Canada successfully ran out the clock and held on to win.