Canada, Great Britain Share Points as Both Sides Advance to Olympic Quarterfinal

KASHIMA, Japan (July 27, 2021) — With both Canada and Great Britain in comfortable positions in Group E entering the two teams’ meeting on Tuesday morning, Canadian head coach Bev Priestman opted to make several changes to her Starting XI. Canada made eight lineup changes from its last match against Chile, including resting Kansas City NWSL midfielder Desiree Scott. 

As Scott and other notable names, like longtime Canada forward Christine Sinclair, watched from the sidelines, Canada drew 1-1 with Great Britain. Neither side could generate much offense in the first half, although both Canada and Great Britian had no difficulties getting forward. However, both teams struggled with connecting passes in the final third, and as a result the first half ended scoreless. Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé made a one-on-one stop on Great Britain forward Rachel Daly late in the first half, the only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. 

The action opened up a bit in the second half as Canada struck first. Forward Ashley Lawrence made an impressive run down the left flank and got inside the opposing 18-yard box, then played a cutback pass that found Adriana Leon at the back post. Leon made no mistake, firing the ball into the top corner to give Canada a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.  

A familiar problem plagued Canada late in the second half. Just like the Canadian’s first match of the group stage against Japan, Canada conceded a late equalizer. Great Britain’s leveler had been coming, as forward Caroline Weir struck both the post and crossbar with a tight-angle strike in the 68th minute. In the 85th minute, Weir fired an effort from distance that took a deflection off a Great Britain player and snuck past Labbé into the back of the net. Canada couldn’t find a winner, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. 

With the draw, Canada finishes in second place in Group E with five points. Scott and Canada now turn their attention to Friday’s quarterfinal round, when Canada will face Brazil in a matchup between the No. 7 and No. 8-ranked teams in the FIFA rankings.  

KASHIMA, Japan (July 27, 2021) — With both Canada and Great Britain in comfortable positions in Group E entering the two teams’ meeting on Tuesday morning, Canadian head coach Bev Priestman opted to make several changes to her Starting XI. Canada made eight lineup changes from its last match against Chile, including resting Kansas City NWSL midfielder Desiree Scott. 

As Scott and other notable names, like longtime Canada forward Christine Sinclair, watched from the sidelines, Canada drew 1-1 with Great Britain. Neither side could generate much offense in the first half, although both Canada and Great Britian had no difficulties getting forward. However, both teams struggled with connecting passes in the final third, and as a result the first half ended scoreless. Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé made a one-on-one stop on Great Britain forward Rachel Daly late in the first half, the only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. 

The action opened up a bit in the second half as Canada struck first. Forward Ashley Lawrence made an impressive run down the left flank and got inside the opposing 18-yard box, then played a cutback pass that found Adriana Leon at the back post. Leon made no mistake, firing the ball into the top corner to give Canada a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.  

A familiar problem plagued Canada late in the second half. Just like the Canadian’s first match of the group stage against Japan, Canada conceded a late equalizer. Great Britain’s leveler had been coming, as forward Caroline Weir struck both the post and crossbar with a tight-angle strike in the 68th minute. In the 85th minute, Weir fired an effort from distance that took a deflection off a Great Britain player and snuck past Labbé into the back of the net. Canada couldn’t find a winner, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. 

With the draw, Canada finishes in second place in Group E with five points. Scott and Canada now turn their attention to Friday’s quarterfinal round, when Canada will face Brazil in a matchup between the No. 7 and No. 8-ranked teams in the FIFA rankings.