Paris, France (June 25, 2019) — Last year, Canada hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup. They finished the tournament in their second-best spot of sixth place. The Canadians reached the quarterfinals and were looking to build off that finish this year.
In the history of the Canadian program, the women’s national team has never made the final. Instead, Canada grabbed fourth place, their best finish in a World Cup, back in 2003.
Canada fail to reach quarterfinals as Sweden advances in World Cup
This year, Canada did not build off the performance from last year’s run to the quarterfinals. Instead, the Canadians were ousted in the Round of 16, due to a defeat handed to them by Sweden.
All eyes have been around Christine Sinclair this tournament. The veteran Canadian international is sneaking up close to Abby Wambach’s all-time goal scoring record of 184 goals. Sinclair currently has 182 goals. She elected to forgo a chance for 183 when Canada was awarded a penalty kick in the 69th minute.
The penalty kick was awarded after Kosovare Asllani was whistled for a handball inside the box. Instead of Sinclair lining up to take the kick, Janine Beckie stood over the ball. Beckie’s shot was saved by Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
After the match, Sinclair said, “I feel bad for asking her” to take the penalty kick. Meanwhile, Beckie said she was confident in her penalty, but credited Lindahl for making the save.
Stina Blackstenius of Sweden scored the game-winning goal in the 55th minute. Her shot came inside the box, as she smacked it off her right food.
Sweden's Hedvig Lindahl said she has 'always done it the right way' when it comes to staying on her line on penalty kicks.
She backed it up. 💯 pic.twitter.com/liehlHnu3c
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2019
What’s Next?
The Canadians are out of the tournament, but Sweden advances with a tough task. They will face the German National Team on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. EST/9:30 a.m. PT.
