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.