Fans were treated to a second nerve-racking match as Brazil and Canada took to the pitch in the second semi-final of the SheBelieves Cup. Adriana Leon, Jade Rose, Simi Awujo, and Julia Grosso connected on four straight e penalty kicks to give Canada a 4-2 advantage and the win.
Brazil’s speed and ability to get forward and back to defend gave them the early advantage. They possessed the ball 56% of the match and had 11 corners to Canada’s 2.
A penalty kick by Tarciane in the 22nd minute opened the scoring. Canada kept working despite the stats. Their persistence paid off in the 77th minute. Vanessa Gilles rose above two Brazilian defenders to head home a set-piece delivered by Jessie Fleming, leveling the score.
With neither team able to break the deadlock in regular time, the match proceeded to the penalty shootout. Both teams stumbled in their initial attempts. Canada found their rhythm, converting four consecutive penalties to clinch the win. Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan emerged as a hero for Canada, denying Brazil’s opening penalty and setting the stage for the win.
The victory propels Canada into the finals of the SheBelieves Cup, where they will face a familiar opponent in the U.S. Women’s National Team. They will travel north to Columbus, Ohio for the Tuesday match.
Brazil will look to regroup and focus on Japan in the third-place match.