Diana Matheson’s late, late winner gave the Women’s Bronze Medal to Canada and broke French hearts at the City of Coventry Stadium.
Canada 1 v France 0 Bronze Final Result
Canada became the first non-European team to win the Olympic Games Women’s Bronze Medal match after France dominated the second half but couldn’t find the back of the net.
The squad will be presented with their medals after tonight’s final between Japan and USA at Wembley.
The sun was shining brightly in Coventry as the final Olympic action kicked-off in the city with Canada making their fourth appearance at the venue while this was France’s first trip here.
There was plenty of support for both teams with supporters decked out in replica shirts and big hats, carrying flags and enjoying joining in the Mexican wave.
But whether it was the heat or the prize at stake, this contest took some time to settle with the crowd having to wait until the 15th minute for the first real chance.
Not surprisingly it was Canadian goal machine Christine Sinclair – who has taken her incredible goal tally to 143 in this tournament – who had the opportunity. She latched onto a pass from the busy Rhian Wilkinson to unleash a shot from the edge of the area which sizzled inches over the bar.
John Herdman’s team dominated possession as France were often guilty of overhitting their final pass or shot.
A great move led to Melissa Tancredi hitting a diagonal pass to Sinclair. As she was about to pull the trigger, French captain Sandrine Soubeyrand tracked back to block her shot.
France began to get more into the game as the opening half wore on. The lively Elodie Thomis ran onto a flick-on to unleash a lob from the right of the box but keeper Erin McLeod was equal to the effort.
Wendie Renard inadvertently flattened McLeod as she attempted to punch away Soubeyrand’s corner but she was able to carry on after a few minutes.
In the final stages of the first half, Thomis’ right footed shot from 22 yards was always rising as it flew over the bar.
The Second Half
France started the second half in much more determined mood and nearly broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Louisa Necib forced McLeod to make a fantastic diving one-handed save to stop her eight-yard strike hitting the back of the net.Diana Matheson’s late, late winner gave the Women’s Bronze Medal to Canada and broke French hearts at the City of Coventry Stadium.
Canada became the first non-European team to win the Olympic Games Women’s Bronze Medal match after France dominated the second half but couldn’t find the back of the net.
As Team GB coach Hope Powell watched on, France hit the woodwork twice within a minute.
Thomis skipped past Canada’s Lauren Sesselmann and Desiree Scott on the right byline to pick out team-mate Gaetane Thiney in space near the penalty spot. Her right-footed shot thundered against a post.
Then Thomis sent a looping shot from 14 yards thundering against the bar before she then picked out Eugenie le Sommer in space inside the box but the substitute sent a left-footed effort over the bar.
France were getting closer and closer. In the 70th minute it was the turn of Corine Franco to have a go with a firm shot which Scott kicked off the line with the keeper beaten.
The chances continued to fall to France. Franco’s deflected shot from six yards was arrowed over the bar and Camille Abily’s flicked header went the same way from close range.
“Let’s Go Canada” rang out from a section of the crowd as they backed their team but the next goalscoring chance went to their opponents from an indirect free-kick inside the box which le Sommer rocketed over the bar.
Canada had a rare chance in the 90th minute when Matheson’s free-kick from the right reached substitute Kaylyn Kyle and she shot over the bar.
Then, sport shows it continues to have the ability to conjure up magic moments when least expected as Canada netted in the second minute of injury time.
Matheson had not yet scored in this tournament but she kept her cool when the ball broke to her to calmly roll a ten-yard low shot into the net to send her team-mates, the management team and supporters into raptures.
There was no time for an unbelieving France to respond and Canada went on a lap of honour to celebrate their magnificent achievement. Congratulations!
