Canada progressed to their second successive Olympic semi-final defeating France as they had done four years earlier in Coventry in the Bronze Medal Play-Off. The North Americans who scored within 20 seconds of their last match at the Corinthians Arena, were quick out of the blocks again. Christine Sinclair side-footing wide in the 3rd minute from a Allysha Chapman cross. Thereafter, the Europeans settled into the passing rhythm and were denied a clear penalty in the 10th minute when Eugénie Le Sommer beat Kadeisha Buchanan to a cross and was brought down close to the penalty spot. Uruguayan referee Umpiérrez waved play on. As the half went on, so Canada began to wrest control of the midfield and dominate possession without creating a clear chance. As the half closed the dynamic Amel Majri began to impose herself on the game for the French, first charging down the left to cross for Abily who was bravely denied by Chapman, then Majri’s corner was narrowly headed wide by captain Wendie Renard.

France were to rue that miss in the 51st minute when Shelina Zadorsky swept the ball forward down the right channel, Janine Beckie allowed the ball to bounce before expertly cushioning it over left back Sakina Khachaoui, then lobbing it to the back post where Sophie Schmidt volleyed it into the roof of the net. A superb goal. France nearly equalized immediately when Sinclair flicked Abily’s free kick onto her own crossbar.

Louisa Cadamuro, surprisingly omitted from the starting line up, was thrown on in place of Elise Bussaglia by Philippe Bergeroo in the 62nd minute. However, France only looked threatening from set pieces and could not break the Canadian defense. From Abily’s free kick, Cadamuro pulled a shot wide of the post in the 76th and her stellar career ends without a major international medal.

Canada head north to face the team they defeated three days ago, Germany for the second successive Tuesday, this time in Belo Horizonte for a place in the final.

International Women's Soccer

Nothing Found

Apologies, but no results were found for the requested archive. Perhaps searching will help find a related post.

Rio 2016 Olympics

Nothing Found

Apologies, but no results were found for the requested archive. Perhaps searching will help find a related post.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares
Megan Cleary

Megan Cleary is the Senior Women's Editor at Prost Amerika. Growing up in Oregon, she has been enveloped in soccer all her life. After years of freelance writing, she began covering Thorns matches for Prost in 2015 and quickly moved her way up to editor in 2016. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon

Recent Posts

A tough test at home for the Portland Timbers in the Wildcard match against RSL

(8) Portland Timbers vs (9) Real Salt Lake Wednesday, October 22, 2025 KO 7:30 PM…

19 hours ago

New England Revolution 2025 End of Season Review

FOXBOROUGH, MA– New England Revolution have completed the 2025 MLS Season with a record of…

1 day ago

San Diego wins the top of West in memorable inaugural MLS season

It was a busy day in Portland, the “No Kings March” that had gathered earlier…

2 days ago

Angel City honors Press and Riley in final home match

For its last home match of the 2025 season, it was all about honoring its…

3 days ago

Gotham draw drops them to seventh

Gotham FC 2-2 Racing Louisville HARRISON, NJ--The good news is that Gotham FC will be…

3 days ago