It was a game for history! After nearly 125 minutes of regulation and overtime, followed by a thrilling penalty shootout, the Canadian women's soccer team defeated Sweden to win Olympic gold.
World number five Sweden beat Australia in the semi-finals to reach the final, while Canada beat the US women's team for the first time in nearly five years.
The European nation opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Stina Blackstenius beat Canada's star goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe. In the second half, Canadian star Jesse Fleming continued his incredible tournament, converting a penalty in the 67th minute to level the score.
Once the minutes were up and the clock ticked down, the game became the most stressful way to end a soccer match. And let us tell you, penalty kicks were not for the faint of heart. In the fifth round of penalty kicks, Sweden was up 2-1 and national captain Caroline Seger had a chance to score the title. Instead, her shot flew over the crossbar, opening the door for Canada to equalize.
That was the case for Deanne Rose of Alliston, Ont., who stepped up with her crucial shot, scoring with a solid check to save Canada's fate. Then goalie Steph Labbe made another brilliant save, before Julia Grosso, a 20-year-old from Vancouver, scored the final shot to win gold.
FOR THE FIRST TIME – CANADA HAS WON GOLD IN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL!?#GamesTokyoGames pic.twitter.com/nj0TwLt8Z9
– #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021
One of the most incredible stories of the tournament is that Christine Sinclair, who began her career with Canada's national team 22 years ago when she was just 16, officially retired after this match. Talk about coming out on top!
This is Canada's first Olympic soccer gold medal, and only the third medal, men's or women's, that the country has won in the sport. Clearly, Canadians from coast to coast to coast went crazy, and we've compiled some of the best reactions and opinions on the historic win.
That feeling when you've spent 20 years working to get that gold medal.
Great work, Christine Sinclair. #CANWNT #TeamCanada #Olympic Games #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/AhMKj56EvQ
– Courtney Thériault (@cspotweet) August 6, 2021
#TeamCanada win? in women's football #Tokyo2020 @Olympic Games! Everyone at home is very proud of you. Go @TeamCanada! @CanadaFootball https://t.co/kfE89MEOSj
-Doug Ford (@fordnation) August 6, 2021
CANADIAN WOMEN'S FOOTBALL GOES GOLD AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES???? pic.twitter.com/u3Yz7o7rSN
– Tim and friends (@timandfriends) August 6, 2021
HEY! Made in Canadian Sports History. YOUR HISTORY! The entire country is unavailable today, out of office, offline, CELEBRATION #CANWNT OR! ?⚽️?? #Olympic Games #TeamCanada
—Madison Koekkoek (@madisonkoekkoek) August 6, 2021
In another incredible story, Canadian Quinn became the first non-binary transgender person to win an Olympic medal, let alone gold.
Canadian footballer Quinn becomes the first transgender person in history to win an Olympic gold medal, or any Olympic medal. Great day for the trans community, for Canada, and for the Olympics. ???️⚧️?️? pic.twitter.com/i6naUpS4mH
– Mackay Taggart (@mackaytaggart) August 6, 2021
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