Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil’s female footballers suffered a second heartbreaking defeat in three days on Friday as a 2-1 bronze medal match loss to Canada in Sao Paulo saw the hosts fail to make the podium.
Goals either side of half-time from Deanne Rose and veteran captain Christine Sinclair silenced a passionate crowd and saw Canada defend the bronze medal they won in London four years ago.
Brazil’s semi-final conquerors Sweden take on Germany for the gold medal at Rio’s Maracana later on Friday.
Led by five-time World Player of the Year Marta, Brazil captivated the host nation by smashing eight goals past China and Sweden in their opening two group games.
However, Beatriz’s consolation strike 11 minutes from time broke a streak of over 400 minutes without a goal in the four games since.
A mix of youth and experience worked wonders for Canada as 17-year-old Rose fired home the opener after a lightning counter-attack led by Ashley Lawrence.
Sinclair then scored her 165th international goal on her 250th appearance for Canada seven minutes into the second-half.
Beatriz set up a grandstand finish when she spun inside the area to fire home left-footed.
But despite a surge of late pressure, Brazil couldn’t find an equaliser as they failed to add to the silver medals they won at the 2004 and 2008 Games.
