Germany ended Canada‘s controversial Olympic run in a penalty shootout in Marseille on Friday to arrange a soccer semifinal towards the U.S. ladies’s nationwide workforce.
After a goalless draw by way of further time, Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero for Germany, saving penalties from Ashley Lawrence and Adriana Leon. earlier than changing the profitable kick to settle the battle between the final two Olympic gold medal winners.
“I used to be stunned about myself, that I I calmed myself down, and I did not really feel any strain by any means,” Berger mentioned. “So it was a reasonably cool feeling when it hit the web and noticed the goalkeeper going the opposite aspect.”
The win units up a rematch from the group stage, when the People ran out comfy 4-1 winners over the 2016 champion. The USWNT sealed its place within the final 4 with an extra-time win over Japan earlier on Saturday.
Sydney Lohmann practically scored for Germany within the second further interval however her header from some six yards out simply skimmed the crossbar.
Adriana Leon had maybe the very best likelihood of the match for Canada within the 71st minute when she threatened on a quick break, however Berger was prepared.
Defending champion Canada has been dogged by a drone-spying scandal all through the match, with head coach Bev Priestman banned for a yr by FIFA and the workforce docked six factors within the group stage.
Canada’s gamers had been mentally exhausted following Saturday’s loss, after profitable all of their matches within the group stage to beat the factors deduction.
“I can not fairly discover the tears as a result of I shed all of them this previous week,” Canada defender Vanessa Gilles mentioned. “So to have gotten this far, I believe is a testomony to our group.”
Earlier than the match’s begin, New Zealand reported a drone flying above coaching. Authorities later detained a Canada workforce analyst and confiscated surveillance gear.
Two employees members had been instantly despatched residence and Priestman eliminated herself from the Olympic opener. However Canada Soccer CEO and basic secretary Kevin Blue mentioned proof got here to gentle that the surveillance was a “systemic moral shortcoming,” additionally citing an alleged incident on the current Copa América in the USA. Andy Spence was main the workforce in her place.
Spence mentioned his job going ahead is to assist the gamers as Canada Soccer continues its impartial investigation.
“I believe it might be unfair to me to start out making feedback round one thing that is a lot greater than me,” he mentioned.
Canada captain Jessie Fleming was injured and didn’t return after halftime.
“It is simply robust. Typically soccer would not go your approach, and, that was us at this time,” Fleming mentioned. “However I am simply so happy with a part of this workforce. And I believe there’s plenty of positives to remove from this match. I imply, I actually really feel like we had them on the ropes within the second half.”
Info from The Related Press contributed to this report.
