Kashima (AP) — World champion USA failed an Olympic gold mission in women’s football, with Canada and Sweden playing for the title instead.
Surprisingly lost 0:1 (0:0) in the semi-final against tournament favorite Canada around superstar Megan Rapinoe. While the underdogs celebrated the greatest success in their football history, American women won four golds (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012) and the most recent bronze wins in a game for third place against Australia after winning two World Cup titles. can. Line.
At Kashima, the Americans were unlucky in the first half that goalkeeper Alyssa Nahar was injured and had to be replaced. She was a match-winner by saving three penalties in the quarterfinals against European champions Netherlands. Canada’s Jesse Fleming achieved the role with her winning goal from a penalty kick (74th minute) in the semi-finals. The goal turned the game upside down, as the Americans were the dominant team.
In the other semi-finals in Yokohama as well, a goal was set, that of Swede Fridolina Rolfo. The striker, who played for VfL Wolfsburg until last season, scored 1-0 for the Scandinavian in the 46th minute. Sweden won silver in Rio in 2016 – Olympic champions Germany missed out on qualifying for Tokyo 2021.
The Bronze Games will take place on Thursday (10 a.m. / CEST), with the final a day later on Friday (4 a.m. / CEST).
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