Against all odds, the Canadian women’s soccer team is heading to the Olympic quarterfinals.
After being docked six points by FIFA because of a drone spying scandal, which also led to the one-year ban of coach Bev Priestman, the Canadians completed a 3-0 run through the preliminary round with a 1-0 win over Colombia on Wednesday.
“It’s been a hard couple days, but right now all I’m feeling is an immense amount of pride,” Canadian forward Vanessa Gilles told CBC Olympics after the win. “Pride to be Canadian, to be part of this group and just really excited to be in the quarterfinals.”
Gilles gave Canada the 1-0 lead against Colombia when she headed a shot past Colombia’s goalkeeper in the 61st minute.
“We’re still Canadian, and we always felt the support. I’ve never gotten so many messages from Canadians who believe in us and support us,” Gilles added to CBC Olympics. “I’ve gotten more messages from this group stage than I have even winning a gold medal.”
“The world might be against us, but Canada is sticking with us, and hopefully, we go all the way.”
Canada, the defending Olympic champion, needed a win to extend its run in France.
Canada finishes second in Group A and will face Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
Here are the details from the game.
FINAL SCORE: CANADA 1, COLOMBIA, 0
• FT: Vanessa Gilles spoke passionately to CBC Olympics after the win.
“The world might be against us, but Canada is sticking with us, and hopefully, we go all the way.”
• FT: Considering the setbacks, stress and uncertainty the Canadian women’s national team players have faced over the past week, winning all three group games is an outstanding accomplishment. It demonstrates the grit, determination and togetherness Spence’s side possesses.
These traits will be necessary in the quarterfinal on Saturday.
• FT: Canada has done it. With a 1-0 win over Colombia, Les Rouges advance to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics.
• 90 +5′: France defeated New Zealand 2-1 in Group A action, meaning Les Bleues top the group regardless of the Canada vs. Colombia result.
• 90 +3′: Carle tussles with Montoya outside the Canada box, and the Colombian appeals for a free kick. The referee says no, and play resumes. We’re witnessing some scrappy, stressful soccer in Nice.
• 90′: The second official has indicated seven minutes of added time.
• 88′: As Caicedo dribbles in Les Rouges’ box, four Canada players swarm her. It’s one of the only ways to stop the Real Madrid superstar.
• 86′: After a Colombian hand ball, Sheridan moves up to take the kick. The final five minutes of regulation time are turning into a scuffle.
• 83′: Goal-scorer Gilles is receiving medical attention for what looks like a calf issue. She’ll be replaced by veteran Shelina Zadorsky.
Gabrielle Carle also comes on for Beckie.
• 79′: It’s Colombia’s turn to make a substitution, with Daniela Montoya replacing Yirleidis Minota.
• 77′: Close for Colombia. After a scuffle and a couple rebounds in the box, Sheridan grabs the ball to preserve her clean sheet. It’s nervy moments for both sides, who are starting to lose steam in the heat.
• 75′: Fresh legs for Canada. Grosso exits the game for Quinn, who’s leadership and composure will be useful in the final 15.
• 71′: Less than 20 minutes remain and Huitema is taking a beating. She’s been thrown around for the past 15 minutes, but it’s something she’s used to.
• 68′: Sheridan appears to be fine and play resumes. A dangerous cross from Caicedo is just missed by Manuela Pavi.
• 65′: After the goal, Sheridan signals for medical attention for what looks like a hand issue. Players head to the sideline for water.
• 61′: Vanessa Gilles plays hero once more. The defender’s soaring header whizzes past Tapia and into the net. Advantage Canada.
While Gilles deserves all the credit for breaking the deadlock, Fleming’s set-piece delivery was crisp. Will this be the energy Canada needs to advance to the next round, or will Colombia regroup and level?
• 60′: Daniela Arias fouls Ashley Lawrence just outside the left box. At the whistle, Leon exits the pitch while Evelyne Viens enters the fray.
• 59′: Huitema, Beckie and Leon have all had opportunities in front of net, but the timing or the touch has been off. Finishing is something Canada has lacked for years, and it’s really showing in Nice this evening.
• 56′: Canada is dangerous on the counter. Beckie just misses Prince’s cross but it feels as if someone, anyone, will score soon.
A reminder of what’s at stake: for Canada to advance to the knockouts, it must beat Colombia. A draw or loss would not do.
• 53′: It’s Colombia’s turn to shoot from distance. Ilana Izquierdo’s ball sails over the bar.
• 51′: “Let’s go Canada” cheers are erupting from the stands. It’s safe to say the stadium is mostly filled with Canada fans, but has its fair share of Colombia supporters, too.
• 48′: Chances are coming for Canada. Fleming drives the ball up the pitch, which Tapia punches away. The rebound just misses Huitema’s boot. Moments later, Leon’s long ball hits the top netting.
Canada’s key to the second half will be to get more shots on target. Clearly Les Rouges is off to a group start.
• 46′: As the second half begins, Nichelle Prince replaces Lacasse. Prince immediately makes an impact with a quick run toward goal, but ran out of space.
• HT: In other Group A action, France and New Zealand are tied 1-1 at halftime.
• HT: Canada leads in possession with 57.6 per cent. Les Rouges recorded six shot attempts and one on goal, while Colombia had five attempts with four on goal.
Canada saved four shots, while Las Cafeteras saved one.
• HT: It’s all square at the break. Despite some early energy from Canada, Colombia picked up the intensity toward the end of the first half.
Both sides have everything to play for in the final 45.
• 45 + 2‘: Leon picks up a yellow card for a challenge on Jorelyn Carabali. It’s Canada’s third yellow card of the tournament.
• 45′: It’s end-to-end in Nice. Both teams are showing fight as the second official indicates four minutes of first half added time.
• 42′: Adriana Leon hammers the set-piece into the wall and Lacasse picks up the loose ball. Tapia manages to save the shot and preserve the deadlock.
• 41′: We’re into the final minutes of the first half before added time. It’s still 0-0, with both sides producing some juicy chances.
Lacasse is taken down just outside Colombia’s box resulting in a free kick for Canada.
• 39′: Fleming is back in action, appearing unharmed. Moments later, Caicedo’s flying run up the left flank almost lead to a Colombia goal. When the young star gets a break, she’s tough to stop. Canada is lucky that didn’t sail into the net.
• 35′: It’s unclear what the issue is, but skipper Jessie Fleming is receiving medical attention. As it’s a hot night in Nice, players are using the break for some water.
• 34′: What’s different about Canada’s play against Colombia compared to its first two group games is how freely the players are moving the ball. Instead of only utilizing short, quick passes, long and switch balls are used for heightened creativity and tactical variability.
• 30′: Colombia looks to have settled into the game. Las Cafeteras is playing with urgency and pouncing on loose balls, which seems to have caught Canada off guard.
“Calm down,” Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles told her teammates after clearing the ball.
• 25′: The opening 25 minutes have been quick and aggressive from both sides. Players are not afraid to tackle, and both teams are pulling off one-touch passing. Canada has recorded more shots, but nothing has come from it.
Canada need to work on finishing, while Colombia’s struggling with holding possession in the midfield.
• 20′: Colombia’s Yirleidis Minota tugs a shirt, leading to a yellow card and a free kick in a dangerous spot for Canada.
Huitema gets her head on the end of the ball, but her effort goes just wide. It’s a glittering chance the 23-year-old would like back.
• 17′: After an aggressive collision between Ashley Lawrence and Colombia keeper Katherine Tapia in the box, the latter is seeking medical treatment.
• 15′: Canada is responding well to Colombia’s early chance. You can hear the players shouting for the ball, and Canada’s quick passes up to Jordyn Huitema are almost perfect.
• 12′: Chance for Colombia. Marcela Restrepo’s flying header sails right into the arms of Canada keeper Kailen Sheridan. Les Rouges cannot award its opponents that much space in the box.
• 10′: Spence made some changes to his starting XI ahead of the match — and they’ve proved worthy. Janine Beckie’s leadership and Cloé Lacasse’s pace is on full display, which has led to a couple promising runs in the opening 10 minutes.
On the other hand, Colombia’s heavy hitter Mayra Ramírez is unavailable. The Chelsea striker was sent off in Colombia’s opening match against France for a nasty tackle, and was given a two-game suspension.
• 5′: Canada has started strong in the opening five minutes, pushing the ball into Colombia’s final third and retaining possession.
• 2′: Colombia’s player to watch is 19-year-old Real Madrid star Linda Caicedo. She’s crafty, quick, and can pull off a shot from distance.
• 1′: After the national anthems and captain’s coin toss, we’re underway at Stade de Nice.
• Head-to-head: Canada and Colombia have met twice before, with Les Rouges winning both. Most recently, Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair netted the only goal in a 1-0 victory in July 2012. Canada won the only other meeting, 2-1, in the semifinals of the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico.
