Canada beat Brazil 2-1, grab women’s Olympic bronze

Canada beat Brazil 2-1 on Friday for their second consecutive bronze medal in the women’s football competition.

The Canadians won their second consecutive bronze medal at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo at Rio 2016.

The North American side had more dangerous opportunities than the hosts, utilising speed on the counter attack on several occasions. 

Christine Sinclair hit the crossbar with a free-kick early in the match, but her side would find the breakthrough just minutes after.

Canada’s opener came in the 25th minute when Ashley Lawrence made an impressive 80-yard run from her own penalty area all the way to Brazil’s.

She then looked up to find Deanne Rose ten yards from the goal-line. The 17-year-old forward from Scarborough United made no mistake from close range. 

Seventeen-year old Deanne Rose got the opening goal for Canada.

A memorable counter-attack from Canada midway through the first half gave the 2012 bronze medalists the lead before Christine Sinclair gave them more security with a goal in the 52nd minute. 

Lawrence had run half the length of the field on a quick counter-attack.

Rose, the youngest player in the Canadian squad, then turned goal-maker seven minutes into the second half.

She laid a fine cross for Christine Sinclair to make it 2-0 from close in.

Brazil looked tired after a punishing semi-final defeat against Sweden after extra time and penalties in the heat of Rio de Janeiro just three days ago.

The Brazilians had won silver in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

However, Brazil climbed back into the match when Beatriz scored in the 79th minute. 

They continued pushing forward, though, as the game went on and eventually got a consolation.

Beatriz scored 11 minutes from time when she controlled the ball nicely in a packed box and turned to fire low into the net.

But the Canadians were worthy of their win and the scoreline could even have been wider, with the visitors smacking the woodwork once in each half.

Canada claimed their second bronze medal at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, while Brazil finished fourth for the third time (Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000) in the competition.

Germany will play Sweden later on Saturday for the gold medal.

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