TOKYO, Japan – The Canadian Women’s National Team played to a 1-1 draw with Great Britain in their Group E finale to reach the knockout round of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday at Kashima Stadium in Kashima, Japan.
It was a cagey first 45 minutes between the two teams, with a couple good looks at goal for both, but nothing that Canada GK Stephanie Labbe and Great Britain counterpart Ellie Roebuck could not handle.
Things changed, though, in the second half and it was Canada who would carve out the game’s first goal.
Ashley Lawrence made a hard-charging run down the left flank and swung a cut-back pass across goal, reached the swinging left foot of Adriana Leon, who launched a rocket into the top right corner of goal to give Canada a 1-0 lead in the 55’.
Great Britain sought to get back on equal footing and looked set to do it through Caroline Weir, but remarkably her shot first glanced off the crossbar and then deflected off the post.
Canada’s defensive shape was being tested by Great Britain’s increasing pressure and a bit of good fortune earned the British the 1-1 equalizer, as a Weir shot from distance deflected off the leg of a Canadian defender and skidded past the stretched-out fingers of Labbe for the goal.
Next up for Canada will be a Friday quarterfinal clash with the runner-up from Group F.
