Cinderella Canucks ascend to semis by defeating France 1-0

Canada and Germany are set to meet in the Olympic semifinals in women’s soccer, their second clash in a week after the Canadians pulled a 2-1 upset in the final game of group-stage play on August 9.

Canada will face Germany in a rematch Tuesday for a chance to advance to the gold medal match. Under the guidance of coach John Herdman, they’ve beaten three top-10 teams since landing in Brazil (No. 2 Germany, No. 3 France and No. 5 Australia).

“I’m super proud of every single player”.

Canadian captain Christine Sinclair said her team was thrilled at beating a French side that she believes may be the best in the world.

If the Canadians can get past the Germans again, they’ll be guaranteed a medal and spot in the final in Rio de Janeiro, after playing all their other games elsewhere in Brazil. “But we’re just focused on ourselves, and getting prepared for our next match”, said Zadorsky, who plays professionally for the Washington Spirit and suited up for her 15th global match with Team Canada. Brazil’s Cristiane has the most with 14.

But Beckie’s tournament hasn’t just been about finishing; her deft touch and pinpoint cross set up Schmidt to score the decisive goal against France.

France had more of the play but Canada went ahead in the 56th minute when Janine Beckie, showing real skill in controlling the ball, took a pass from defender Shelina Zadorsky and chipped a cross over to Schmidt who acrobatically knocked it in from close range. The Germans beat No. 12 China 1-0. Melanie Behringer scored the only goal for the reigning European champions. It was the earliest US exit ever in a major global tournament.

The two agreed that Canada, as Sinclair and several other players also put it, might be the best defensive team in the world at the moment, and that that, with “a moment or two of great quality a game”, this night from the Beckie-Schmidt combo, has propelled them on. Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe made two key saves in the 71st and 72nd minute and held the opponent scoreless for her second clean sheet in the Games.

Nichelle Prince is a senior at Ohio State, while Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan play at West Virginia.

Belanger, Jessie Fleming, Nichelle Prince and Rhian Wilkinson came into Friday’s game on yellow cards, meaning they were one caution away from a one-game suspension.

It wasn’t pretty – Herdman said the team had conceded 22 free kicks – but Canada was a study in determination and grit. “We’re on the medal rounds”.