Adriana Leon scored in her first start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games as she helped Canada qualify for the Quarter-finals of the competition.
Leon started the match and fired in the opening goal of the game on 55 minutes, before Caroline Weir’s deflected effort pulled Team GB back into the contest to claim a point and top the group.
The 28-year-old had featured as a substitute in her countries previous two group stage matches against Japan and Chile, with the CONCACAF side needing only a point from their final group match to advance into the knockout stages.
Qualification was already assured for Team GB coming into the match thanks to goals from Ellen White in their wins over Chile and Japan.
Canada began the contest well on a rainy evening in Kashima, with conditions rather slippery for both sets of players. Leon almost latched onto the end of a cross from Deanne Rose in the opening 10 minutes, but it was snuffed out by Manchester City’s Lucy Bronze.
It took some time for Team GB to settle, but when they eventually got the ball under their spell, they created the halves best opportunity. Former West Ham loanee, Rachel Daly raced in behind only for her shot to be well saved by Stephanie Labbé.
Jannine Beckie then went close to breaking the deadlock, but her effort flew well over the top of the crossbar.
Canada continued to cause problems as the intensity of the match grew as the half wore on. This time it was Leon who raced in behind the British backline, but she was to be denied by the outstretched leg of Arsenal defender Leah Williamson.
The second half began with similar intensity, with Canada starting the better of the two sides. They made that early intensity count, as Leon fired the ball into the roof of the net with 55 minutes gone to give Canada the lead.
10 minutes later and the scores were almost level – Weir drove down the left-hand side before arrowing a high shot against the woodwork.
It looked as though the Canadians would claim victory and top the group, but with six minutes of normal time remaining, Team GB found the equaliser. Bronze collected the ball before rolling the ball across to Weir, with the Scot’s strike taking a wicked deflection and landing in the back of the net.
The full-time whistle sounded on a terrific match, with Canada advancing from Group E having amassed five points and will now face Brazil in the Quarter-finals.
