Sweden vs Canada LIVE: Tokyo 2020 women’s football final result after penalty shootout

Both nations guaranteed a medal but gold is on the line in Yokohama

Laura Muir emotional after taking silver medal in 1500m final

Sweden face Canada in the final of the women’s football at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, with the gold medal game taking place in Yokohama.

Both these nations picked up medals in Rio 2016, but neither got the gold they are both searching for this time around - Sweden took silver, Canada the bronze, both edged out by Germany along the way. One of them will be celebrating wildly come full-time on this occasion, however, with Sweden having overcome Japan and Australia to get back into the final, and Canada seeing off Brazil and United States en route to the Nissan Stadium showpiece event.

Team USA eventually took the bronze medal on Thursday after a thrilling seven-goal encounter with Australia, but now it’s all eyes on Sweden and Canada to see who triumphs as Olympic champions in Japan.

Follow all the team news and action between Sweden and Canada in the gold medal match at the Tokyo Olympics live below:

Sweden vs Canada: Tokyo Olympics women’s football gold medal match

• USA beat Australia in the bronze medal clash
• Sweden XI: Lindahl; Glas, Ilestedt, Bjorn, Eriksson; Angeldahl, Asllani, Seger; Jakobsson, Blackstenius, Rolfo
• Canada XI: Labbe; Lawrence, Gilles, Buchanan, Chapman; Quinn, Scott, Fleming; Sinclair; Prince, Beckie.
• Blackstenius’ first-time finish puts Sweden ahead
• Fleming equalises from the penalty spot midway through second half

[6 August 2021 12:53 · Karl Matchett]

Sweden vs Canada: History in the making

Regardless of the result, history will be made by Canada’s Quinn: After coming out as transgender late in 2020, they will become the first openly trans, non-binary athlete to win an Olympic medal.

The midfielder is keen to keep opening up doors for others by being an inspiration through participation:

“Athletics is the most exciting part of my life and it brings me the most joy,” Quinn told CBC Sports after the semi-final win. “If I can allow kids to play the sports they love, that’s my legacy and that’s what I’m here for.”

(AFP via Getty Images)

[6 August 2021 12:36 · Karl Matchett]

Sweden vs Canada: Route to the final

So, to Canada. They had a slower start than Sweden, without question, but they have really upped their game defensively as the competition has gone on.

In the groups, Canada began with a 1-1 draw against the hosts Japan, then beating Chile 2-1 to put themselves in a strong position to qualify. A late goal conceded against Great Britain meant another 1-1 draw and second place, but comfortable progression to the knockouts.

Against Brazil it was tough going at times, and one of only two goalless games in the women’s football throughout the Olympics (so far!), but Canada progressed thanks to a penalty shootout victory, 4-3. It was a spot-kick once more in the semis which proved crucial, Jessie Fleming knocking in from 12 yards in the second half against United States, which sent Bev Priestman’s side through to the final.

[6 August 2021 12:30 · Karl Matchett]

Sweden vs Canada: Closing in on kick-off

We are half an hour from kick-off in the gold medal match. It’s 8:30pm in Yokohama and the temperature is 34 degrees C, with some rain possible during the game.

The stress levels will be beginning to really rise now in the dressing rooms!

(Getty Images)

[6 August 2021 12:23 · Karl Matchett]

Sweden vs Canada: Route to the final

Sweden have a 100 per cent record from their matches so far in Japan. It started with a wake-up call about their intentions and Team USA being off the pace, with a 3-0 win arguably a kind reflection of the two teams’ performances.

A 4-2 victory over Australia followed, before New Zealand were beaten 2-0 to wrap up a perfect group stage.

Into the quarters, hosts Japan were vanquished with minimal fuss, 3-1 the scoreline as Sweden stepped on the gas in the second half, before a much tighter, more tense affair against Australia in the semis was settled by Rolfo’s goal straight after half-time - even though it was the Aussies who had repeatedly come close to breaking the deadlock just before the break.

Sweden held out, and to the gold medal match they went.

[6 August 2021 12:14 · Karl Matchett]

Sweden vs Canada: Confirmed line-ups

For Canada, captain Christine Sinclair wins an incredible 303rd cap at senior international level, a quite astounding total. She has a mere 187 goals, too.

Canada XI: Labbe; Lawrence, Gilles, Buchanan, Chapman; Quinn, Scott, Fleming; Sinclair; Prince, Beckie.

[6 August 2021 12:09 · Karl Matchett]

Sweden vs Canada: Confirmed line-ups

Sweden’s line-up is in as they go for gold - no real surprises in a very consistent side. Goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl has been exceptionally consistent, captain Kosovare Asllani has surpassed 150 caps during the Olympics and forward Fridolina Rolfo scored the only goal of the game in the semis.

Sweden XI: Lindahl; Glas, Ilestedt, Bjorn, Eriksson; Angeldahl, Asllani, Seger; Jakobsson, Blackstenius, Rolfo

[6 August 2021 11:53 · Karl Matchett]

Sweden vs Canada: Women’s football gold medal match at Tokyo Olympics

Good afternoon and welcome to the Independent’s live coverage of Sweden vs Canada, as the pair meet to battle for the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Both these nations are set for back-to-back medals, having won silver and bronze respectively five years ago in Rio, but it’s the elusive gold they want this time around.

Sweden have won every single match they have played at the Games so far this summer, while it has been a slow-burning improvement for Canada, built on not conceding a goal in the knockouts - it should prove a tremendous encounter in Yokohama.