wooeltmeister USA failed the Olympic gold mission in women’s soccer. The all-around favorite of superstar Megan Rapinoe lost a surprise 0:1 (0:0) semi-final against Canada on Monday. While the underdogs celebrated the greatest success in Canadian football history, American women this time could win a maximum of four gold medals (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012) and the most recent bronze after winning two consecutive World Cup titles. In the final, Canada will face the winner of the game between Sweden and Australia, while the USA will face the loser.
At Kashima, the American was unlucky in the first half as goalkeeper Alyssa Nahar was injured in a collision and had to be replaced. She was a match-winner by saving three penalties in the quarterfinals against European champions Netherlands.
Canada’s Jesse Fleming found the role in the semi-finals when she converted a penalty kick in the 74th minute. The goal turned the game on its head, as the Americans were the dominant team. The US, however, remained pretty harmless on the offensive. Germany’s Rio Olympic champions were not in Japan.
Meanwhile, the US men’s national team has won the Gold Cup final against defending champions Mexico. In the tournament of the North and Central American continental association CONCACAF, American footballers won 1–0 after extra time on Sunday (local time) and achieved a great prestige victory. Out of the ten tournaments before the 2021 edition, both the countries had won five each. Mexico had defeated USA in each of the last three final duels. The deciding goal was scored by Atlanta United’s Miles Robinson with a header in the 117th minute. Overall, it was USA’s seventh success in the Gold Cup.
At the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, both teams had previously wasted all chances to take the lead, including at times with Matthew Hope from FC Schalke 04. One of these occasions came in the 71st minute when his shot was blocked inside the penalty area. The final moment and is clarified for a corner.
Just two months ago, the two teams had faced each other in the CONCACAF Nations League final. The game also went into overtime in early June, with the United States eventually winning 3–2. Many important professionals such as Champions League winners Christian Pulisic from Chelsea were not in the Gold Cup.
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