Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger saved two penalties in a shootout to score the winning kick in Saturday’s blowout of Canada in Olympic women’s soccer, sending Germany into the semifinals along with Spain, the United States and Brazil.
The quarter-final in Marseille ended 0-0 after extra time before 2016 gold medalists Germany won 4-2 on penalties thanks to Berger’s heroics and will next face the Americans.
The Canadians won gold three years ago in Tokyo, but just reaching the round of 16 this time around was a remarkable achievement after picking up six points in the group stage.
FIFA hit them with points deductions and a 200,000 Swiss franc ($226,000) fine as punishment after an employee used a drone to spy on New Zealand training ahead of their opening game in the tournament.
Canadian coach Bev Priestman was banned for a year and assistant Andy Spence remained in charge.
They failed to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the points deduction, but won all three group matches to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Germany advanced to the last four against the United States in Lyon on Tuesday, beating Japan 1-0 in extra time in Paris.
Trinity Rodman scored the only goal of the game in stunning style just before half time in extra time to settle a thrilling contest.
Under new England coach Emma Hayes, the USA remain on course for a record fifth women’s soccer gold and their first since defeating Japan in the final at the 2012 London Olympics.
That silver remains Japan’s only medal of the competition, and they go home after being stymied by the USA for most of the match.
“Honestly, I think that was the only way to find the goal,” Rodman said of her magical moment after being set up by Crystal Dunn.
“Obviously we tried to get between them the whole game and it didn’t work, but she played it in the back.
“It just wobbled a bit and then I hit it in the upper 90s. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I’m very happy about it.”
Japan leaned back and allowed the US to have most of the possession, which they did without showing off their edge.
Rodman’s goal was sensational as she controlled Dunn’s long diagonal ball from the right, turned Hikaru Kitagawa inside out and fired high into the far corner.
World Cup winners Spain survived a major scare to beat Colombia 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Lyon, with Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati converting the winner in the shootout.
Spain, chasing gold in their first appearance in Olympic women’s football, were moments away from elimination after going down 2-0.
Mayra Ramirez fired Colombia ahead early and Leicy Santos doubled their lead early in the second half.
Jennifer Hermoso pulled a goal back in the 79th minute for the world champions, who then saved themselves when captain Irene Paredes equalized in the seventh minute after injury time.
This meant extra time and no further goals resulted in penalties. Captain Catalina Usme’s first kick for Colombia was saved, while Liana Salazar missed her attempt as Spain scored all four of their efforts from the spot to go through.
Spain now head to Marseille to take on Brazil, who shrugged off the absence of suspended captain Marta to claim a shock 1-0 win over hosts France in Nantes. Sakina Karchaoui saved an early penalty for France, who also hit the woodwork in the first half, and were rewarded with Gabi Portilho’s 82nd-minute goal for Brazil, the two-time Olympic silver medalists.
