Team Canada has defeated Team USA in women’s soccer at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Canadians won 1-0, with a goal scored by 23-year-old Jessie Fleming on a penalty kick 74 minutes into play. The Americans put on the pressure after the goal, but despite several close calls for the Canadians, were unable to score a point before time ran out.
Canada will play for gold at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday (11 a.m. Friday morning in Tokyo), against Sweden. The U.S. will play for bronze against Australia earlier Thursday.
Canada has won bronze in women’s soccer at the last two Olympics and was aiming to change the colour of their medal this tournament.
The team had a hard road to the semifinal, defeating Brazil in penalty kicks after a scoreless game.
Fleming’s penalty goal against the U.S. came after a review by Ukranian referee Kateryna Monzul. American defender Tierna Davidson was called for a foul after her left foot hit Deanna Rose’s leg just inside the penalty area as they chased a loose ball.
“It has been a long time coming to beat those guys,” said Fleming.
“We want to come away with gold now but it is really special for us to put our flag on the map,” she said.
-with files from the Canadian Press and Reuters
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