MARSEILLE, France – They moved past the suspension of their head coach.
They overcame FIFA’s six-point punishment in the group stage standings.
But the Canadian women’s soccer team couldn’t get it done in penalty kicks – which had won them the Olympic gold medal three years ago in Tokyo.
German keeper Ann-Katrin Berger stopped Ashley Lawrence and Adriana Leon, then buried the winner herself to eliminate the reigning gold medalists 0-0 (4-2) in a heart-stopping quarterfinal Saturday at Orange Velodrome in Marseille.
Germany advances to meet the United States, who beat Japan 1-0 on a Trinity Rodman goal in the second period of extra time in Paris. Top-ranked Spain roared back to beat Colombia 3-2 (4-2 in kicks) and will face the late France-Brazil victory.
The Canadians’ medal streak ends at three. They were without one of their all-time great finishers from the spot. Captain Jessie Fleming was shaken up late in the first half on a hard foul by Germany’s Marina Hegering. The 26-year-old from London, Ont. wasn’t able to return and was replaced by Janine Beckie for the final 45 minutes.
Fleming had been the difference in all three of Canada’s group-stage wins.
Both teams were not without opportunities to come out on top, before making it to penalties: Germany’s Sydney Lohmann bounced a header off the top off the Canadian crossbar a few minutes before the final buzzer. The set piece was won on a questionable foul call against Janine Beckie. Leon, a ball magnet after subbing in for the second half, couldn’t convert a strong Julia Grosso pass that could have won it.
The world No. 4 ranked Germans had the best chances of the first half. But Canadian keeper Kailen Sheridan made an early save with her left leg to deny Klara Buehl from close range.
Canada allowed first-half goals in each of its first two games against New Zealand and France, but nothing against Colombia or Germany.
That’s exactly what the Canadians wanted.
They usually don’t mind penalty kicks, either.
But this time, they just couldn’t finish enough.
And now, the craziest ride of the Olympics is done.
More to come.