Tokyo 2020 Olympics - USA v Canada: Women's football semi-final, as it happened

ByAnna Minter

Updated 02/08/2021 at 10:12 GMT

Follow live coverage of the women's semi-final between USA and Canada at Tokyo 2020. Both sides progressed after dramatic shootout victories in the last eight. Join Anna Minter for live text commentary from the clash, or watch the action on this very page! You want it? We have it. Stream every Olympic event live on discovery+

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FT - USA 0-1 Canada

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They've done it! Canada have beaten world champions USA to secure a place in the Olympic final for the first time in history.

93' - USA 0-1 Canada

Corner kick to USA. They're throwing everything at it here, even keeper Franch has ran up the pitch.

90+1' - USA 0-1 Canada

There will be four minutes of added time..can Canada hold on?

89' SUBSTITUTION FOR CANADA - USA 0-1 Canada

Leon replaces Rose.

86' SUBSTITUTION For CANADA - USA 0-1 Canada

Sinclair makes way for Huitema.

84' Chance for Lloyd! - USA 0-1 Canada

Rapinoe delivers a fantastic ball into the box to pick out Lloyd. The 39-year-old gets an immense amount of power on her header, which rattles the bar.

80' SUBSTITUTION - USA 0-1 Canada

Sam Mewis makes way for O'Hara.

76' - USA 0-1 Canada

The goal went totally against the run of play. How USA respond to this will prove vital for the course of the game. Canada have a chance of redemption if they can hold onto this lead..

74' GOAL! USA 0-1 Canada

What a penalty! Franch goes the right way, but Fleming's shot is fired into the top right corner of the net. Untouchable.

73' - USA 0-0 Canada

Fleming to take..

72' PENALTY TO CANADA! - USA 0-0 Canada

After review from VAR officials, Canada are awarded a penalty for a foul on Rose by Davidson. Not an overtly obviously foul, Davidson catches Rose on the back of the calf. I doubt it would've been picked up without VAR.

70' - USA 0-0 Canada

Press has had an instant impact on the game. USA are committing a lot more bodies forward and Canada are struggling to cope.

67' - USA 0-0 Canada

Labbe is tested once again. Ertz connects well with Rapinoe's ball in and her header is punched sideways by Labbe.

66' - USA 0-0 Canada

Freekick to USA. Rapinoe stands over.

64 Chance for Lloyd! - USA 0-0 Canada

We finally see the first real shot on target! Horan sets Lloyd up nicely, and the forward strikes the ball well. Her shot curls towards Labbe, who is forced to palm the ball over the bar.

62' - USA 0-0 Canada

It will be interesting to see how Rapinoe and Press make a difference to the USA attack. Press already attacking the Canadian defence with some really intent.

60' Substitutions - USA 0-0 Canada

Grosso and Rose are introduced for Canada, and USA make a triple change: bringing on Lloyd, Rapinoe and Press.

57' - USA 0-0 Canada

Davidson's cross finds the head of Horan, whose effort flies over the bar.

56' - USA 0-0 Canada

Corner kick to USA after an initial spill from the Canadian defence was pounced on by Heath.

51' - USA 0-0 Canada

Heath produces a delightful flick to set Williams, but her shot fires wide and an offside is flagged. USA looking much better.

48' - USA 0-0 Canada

USA have come out all guns blazing. Horan and Heath looking to make things happen in the final third.

45' - USA 0-0 Canada

Alex Morgan gets things back underway..

HT- USA 0-0 Canada

Deadlock remains between the two sides at half time. A close contest at times, with very little clear cut chances.

48' chance missed! - USA 0-0 Canada

Slightly better from USA. Heath sets Morgan in front of goal, but the forward heads the ball way wide of goal. The second header she's failed to get on target today.

45+1' - USA 0-0 Canada

There will be six minutes of additional time.

44' - USA 0-0 Canada

Deadlock still remains as we approach the final five minutes of the first half. As expected, it's been a fiercely competitive and evenly matched 45 minutes.

36' - USA 0-0 Canada

Lawrence pings an almost inch perfect ball to the feet of Beckie. Davidson pushes the forward wide and punts the ball out for a corner.

34' - USA 0-0 Canada

USA have opted for a narrow formation off the ball today. It's giving Canada a considerable amount of freedom in midfield, but proving difficult for Priest's side to break beyond in front of goal.

32' O'Hara booked - USA 0-0 Canada

O'Hara is booked after a heavy challenge takes down Prince.

30' - USA 0-0 Canada

There's an unrelenting pressure from this Canadian side in the first half. USA aren't being allowed any time on the ball and are getting out muscled in midfield so far.

28' - USA 0-0 Canada

Naeher has just taken a goal kick and raised her hand immediately to signal she needs to come off. Gutting for the keeper, she's replaced by Franch.

24' Naeher to play on - USA 0-0 Canada

It looks like Naeher is doing everything she can to stay on the pitch. The keeper is back on her feet after some medical assessments and she looks set to continue playing.

19' Naeher down for USA.. - USA 0-0 Canada

The USA keeper jumps up to catch Fleming's cross, but it looks like Naeher lands very awkwardly on her knee. Not looking good.

17' - USA 0-0 Canada

Sinclair is looking sharp, and quite obviously seeking to pick out Prince every time the midfielder gets on the ball.

16' - USA 0-0 Canada

Canada now sporting some possession.

13' - USA 0-0 Canada

A lovely ball from Sinclair splits the USA back four to set Prince up in front of goal, but Davidson slides to clear the ball wide.

8' USA TURNING THE HEAT ON - USA 0-0 Canada

Canada are weathering some early pressure from USA, who are flooding forward in numbers. Priest's defence are keeping them at bay for now.

5' - USA 0-0 Canada

Freekick to Canada, Beckie is tripped up as she attempts to burst into the USA half. This game is already proving to be a fine physical contest between the North American sides.

4' - USA 0-0 Canada

It's a nice ball in but the Canadian defence do well to clear the ball away. USA are still pressing.

3' - USA 0-0 Canada

Freekick to USA after Horan takes a blow to the head from a clumsy challenge by Lawrence.

1' - USA 0-0 Canada

We're underway..

8:56

Big smiles on the faces of the Canadian squad as they sing their anthem arm in arm.

8:55

The USNWT stand for their national anthem.

8:54 - The teams are heading out.

The past fixtures will tell you that it is always a close, physical match between the two neighbouring countries, and I’m sure today will be no different..

Today's favourites:

Obviously, the No.1 ranked USWNT are pegged as favourites in today’s clash. If Canada were to beat their rivals today it would be the first time on a competitive or friendly stage in 20 years.

The presence of esteemed centre back Buchanan has proved indispensable for the Canadian defence, having played every minute of the tournament so far.

New Zealand midfielder Annalie Longo is brought down by Canada defender Kadeisha Buchanan

Image credit: Reuters

It was scenes of utter elation on the pitch after Canada defeated Brazil in a penalty shootout and advanced to the semi-finals. Whilst Bev Priestman’s side have only netted four goals all tournament, their defence has only let three goals slip.

Stephanie Labbe of Canada celebrates victory with teammates after saving Brazil's fifth penalty taken by Rafaelle in a penalty shoot out during the Women's Quarter Final match between Canada and Brazil

Image credit: Getty Images

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski will be hoping to re-gain some composure in today’s semi-final as his USNWT side aim towards another gold medal final.

The USWNT’s Tokyo tournament has been far from the domineering, much to the surprise of many. A nervy penalty shootout against the Netherlands booked the USNWT a place in the semi-final following a game that saw USA miss a penalty and suffer two disallowed goals.

Suspension for Riviere

Defender Jayde Riviere will miss today's semi-final after receiving two yellow cards over the first four games.

Canada's starting 11..

Two changes for USA:

Alex Morgan and Rose Lavelle make their way back in the starting 11, with winning penalty shooter Megan Rapinoe on the bench for USA.

Álex Morgan (Estados Unidos)

Image credit: Eurosport

Here's how the USWNT line up today..

The two sides are all to familiar with battling it out on the global stage, and today’s Olympic contest will be there 62nd meeting of all time. The stats lean heavily in favour of the USA who remain unbeaten against Canada in 36 games.

Welcome to LIVE coverage of today’s first semi-final clash, as USA take on Canada at the Ibaraki Kashima Stadium in Japan KO 9:00 (BST). My name is Anna Minter, and I'll providing updates for you this morning/evening, wherever you are!