CanWNT's focus is on beating Colombia, advancing despite penalty

NICE, France — Off-field distractions have been a constant issue for the Canadian women's soccer team at the Paris Games. You wouldn't know it by the on-field results.

Vanessa Gilles scored in the 61st minute to help Canada to a 1-0 victory over Colombia on Wednesday night at Stade de Nice. The win, which came hours after a court dismissed an appeal of FIFA's six-point penalty for the team, gave the defending champions a berth in the quarterfinals.

"We did it, we always believed in it," Gilles said. "We always knew that we could do it. The chances were stacked against us but we pulled through. We stayed together through it all."

The result capped a tumultuous group stage marked by controversy after a drone spying scandal.

Canada won all three games but only has three points to show for it after a ruling from the sport's governing body last week as part of a list of Canada Soccer sanctions.

Canadian team officials appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Paris without success. Players learned the news earlier in the day via a group text.

"We still believe the sanction was unfair, unjust and unprecedented," Gilles said.

The scandal broke over a week ago when a member of the Canadian team coaching staff was caught using a drone to record a New Zealand team practice in Saint-Etienne. In addition to the docking of points, three coaches — including head coach Bev Priestman — were suspended for one year and Canada Soccer was fined more than $300,000.

There's no suggestion the players were involved, but they were the ones penalized in the standings.

"The one thing that we can control, the one thing that's in our grasp is the pitch," Gilles said. "That's something that they can't take away from us as much as they tried."

On the lone goal, Canadian captain Jessie Fleming curled in a free kick from the side of the penalty area and Gilles delivered a forceful header that beat goalkeeper Katherine Tapia.

"I put it in a dangerous area and we've got so many good targets in there," Fleming said. "Luckily Van got on the end of it."

The result gave Canada three points in the standings and a second-place finish in Group A. Next up for Canada is a Saturday match against Germany in Marseille.

France beat New Zealand 2-1 to secure top spot with six points. Despite the loss, Colombia picked up one of the two third-place berths.

Canada defeated New Zealand and France by 2-1 scores last week but remained without a point entering the Colombia game. Gilles also scored the winner against the host side in the 12th minute of injury time.

"I think I have more grey hair than before," said Canada forward Evelyne Viens. "It has been quite a week."

Colombia made a roster change just before kickoff with Yirleidys Quejada Minota replacing Catalina Usme. Carolina Arias wore the captain's armband.

It was the second straight must-win scenario for the eighth-ranked Canadians and they played like it from the start on a muggy evening.

Manuela Pavi was given an early yellow card after a rough tackle on Fleming. Colombia threatened moments later as Marcela Restrepo got her head on a low cross but goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was well-positioned on the play.

Fleming delivered a free kick that Jordyn Huitema headed just wide in the 20th minute for Canada's best chance of the half. Adriana Leon picked up a yellow card in injury time after a collision with a Colombian defender.

Acting head coach Andy Spence brought on Nichelle Prince in the second half for Cloe Lacasse and she had an immediate impact. Prince secured the ball deep in the Colombia area and fed Huitema, who was stopped by Tapia.

Leon came out for Viens just before the opening goal and Quinn replaced Julia Grosso in the 74th minute. Gilles left the game late in the second half with a leg injury but said afterwards that she would be fine.

Colombia, ranked No. 22 in the world, had three corner kicks late in the game but couldn't convert.

"I'm going to check my watch to see where my heart rate was at," Spence said. "I'm sure it was tracking pretty high in that last 10 minutes."

Canada is aiming to reach the medal podium for a fourth straight time after winning bronze in 2012 and 2016 before taking gold three years ago in Tokyo.

"It definitely is the most unique group stage that I've ever played in," Fleming said. "I think we've just handled it really well. It was a tough situation but we got out of it."

Knockout play will continue through the final on Aug. 10 in Paris.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2024.

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