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BRAZIL 1:1 CANADA a.e.t 3:4 penalty shoot-out Christine Sinclair nearly opened Canada's account on the end of a gleaming defensive mix-up early on. But the clinical finisher's strike was somehow cleared from danger on its way to goal (6'). The Brazilians brought the ball right back, and a blistering strike from magician Marta nearly caught Erin McLeod off her line. The recovering Canadian 'keeper managed to snatch the 20-yard drive with little trouble (9'). A brilliant free kick from Carmelina Moscato found Clare Rustad racing toward the Brazilian goal. Somehow the Canadian managed to steer her wide-open header right into the arms of Giselle in the Brazilian net (13'). Both sides continued to attack for the remainder of the half as the match developed a bit of a physical edge in the middle of the park. As the half wound down, Brazilian captain Daniela forced McLeod into another fantastic save, as the rocket of a strike was only just kept out with the aid of the Canadian 'keeper's fingertips (42'). But the hosts managed to grab the vital goal right at the death as Rustad dove to sneak her brave header just inside the far post from a Melanie Booth corner (0:1, 45+). The Canadians came out hunting for another goal after the interval, but Cristiane nearly drew the South Americans level. A good through ball sent the Brazilian clean in on goal. McLeod managed to get a hand to the ball, but it took an heroic, last-gasp effort by Rustad to clear the ball off the line (53'). The canary-clad Brazilians continued to pour on the pressure in an all-or-nothing quest for the equalizer. And Marta pulled off a bit of magic as she teased four defenders on the right side of the box before lofting in a hopeful shot. McLeod couldn't handle the high strike from a tough angle and bobbled the seemingly simple shot over the line to a collective gasp from the crowd (1:1, 69'). Sinclair nearly grabbed the winner late for the hosts as her shot from a tough angle took a deflection and splattered against the crossbar (86'). But it wasn't meant to be, as the match headed into jittery golden goal extra time. Sinclair continued to lead the charge, and headed in on goal early in extra time. The star striker was bundled over in the penalty area, but as she stepped up to take the spot kick, Giselle guessed right and turned the ball around the post (5'). It proved to be the best chance of the 30-minute period, and the match headed to cruel penalties to find its winner. The first three penalties failed to find the back of the net, and after both sides settled down and Sinclair made up for her earlier gaffe with a well-placed strike, up stepped Sasha Andrews with Canada's fifth and final penalty and the result at her feet. She slotted low and past Giselle to send the massive crowd into crashing waves of celebration. Source:
www.fifa.com |
A
mesmerizing clash of Brazilian flair and Canadian economy fell the hosts' way
in front of 37,194 screaming fans at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. The sides
couldn't be separated after 120 minutes of torrid football, and it took a nervy
penalty shootout to see the hosts into Sunday's final where they will meet heavyweights
the United States.