Adriana Leon and Canada reach final of 2020 Olympic Games


Adriana Leon and Canada battled to victory in their 1-0 win over the USA at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

This was Canada’s first win over their neighbours since March 2001 and only their fourth win in 62 meetings. 

Leon entered the fray for the final four minutes in Kashima, as Canada held on to book their place in the final. 

Chelsea's Jessie Fleming scored from the spot with 15 minutes to pay, after the Canadians were awarded the penalty kick after a VAR check. 

The USA had had the better of the opportunities throughout the game, but Canada stood firm despite scares late on – Carli Lloyd smashing a header off the upright was as close as the World Champions came to levelling the match. 

Canada will now compete in their first ever Olympic final, having beaten their best ever finish of third thanks to this result. 

They will face Sweden in the final on 6 August. 



Elsewhere, Tameka Yallop started for Australia as they were beaten 1-0 by Sweden in their first ever Olympic semi-final. 

Yallop lined up at left-wing back for the Matildas, who battled well against a Swedish side that have won all of their matches in the competition so far. 

The Swedes dominated the opening exchanges of the match, but Australia used the wide areas well when the opportunity to counterattack arose. 

Fridolina Rolfö smashed the crossbar with 24 minutes gone in the contest as Sweden began to up the tempo. 

Alana Kennedy tested the Swedish goal with a well struck free-kick just before the break, as Australia searched for the goal that would make the breakthrough. 

Kerr went close again two minutes later – Yallop floating a ball onto the head of the Chelsea forward, but her effort landed narrowly wide of the mark. 

Sweden came flying out of the blocks in the second half, Rolfö took her chance from close range after Teagan Micah made a save, she converted the follow-up. 

Yallop was replaced midway through the second half and her side had chances in the latter stages, but were unable to find an equaliser and will now look forward to a clash with the United States, with the winner of the tie taking home the bronze medal. 
 

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