YOKOHAMA (AFP) - Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe saved two spot-kicks in a nail-biting shootout as Canada defeated Sweden 3-2 on penalties to clinch Olympic women’s football gold for the first time Friday in Yokohama.
Stina Blackstenius scored her team-best fifth goal of the tournament to give Sweden the lead, but Jessie Fleming’s penalty in the second half sent the match to extra time and it finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Kosovare Asllani hit the post with Sweden’s first attempt and Labbe, the hero of Canada’s quarter-final shootout win over Brazil, denied Anna Anvegard and Jonna Andersson.
Sweden captain Caroline Seger missed a chance to win it when she blazed her team’s fifth kick over, with Deanne Rose keeping Canada alive after three successive misses.
Julia Grosso then squeezed her penalty beyond Hedvig Lindahl to trigger wild celebrations for Canada and their iconic captain Christine Sinclair, who had to settle for bronze medals at the past two Games.
“We wanted to create a moment in Canadian history that would change the game forever, and hopefully we have,” said Canada coach Bev Priestman.
Defeat for Sweden extended their wait for a first major trophy since the inaugural Women’s European Championship in 1984.