Sweden shock Brazil with penalty shoot-out win in women's football semi-final, Germany beat Canada

By Rio 2016 16/08/2016 16H14

Goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl saves from Cristiane and Andressa, and Sweden will play Germany in final

Sweden shock Brazil with penalty shoot-out win in women's football semi-final, Germany beat Canada — Party time: Sweden's players celebrate their victory at the Maracanã (Photo: Getty Images/Mark Kolbe)

Brazil suffered penalty shoot-out heartbreak after being held 0-0 by Sweden in the semi-finals of the women's football tournament at a packed Maracana Stadium on Tuesday (16 August). The Swedes will face Germany in the gold medal match on Friday (19 August). The Canadians will face Brazil for bronze.

The Swedes defeated the hosts 4-3 in the shoot-out to reach the final of the Olympic tournament for the first time. Brazil goalkeeper Barbara was unable to save the crucial spot-kick from Lisa Dahlkvist, who wheeled away in delight to celebrate with her ecstatic teammates.

Brazil's players console playmaker Marta at the end (Photo: Getty Images/Mark Kolbe)

Goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl was the hero for Sweden, producing big saves in the shoot-out from Cristiane and Andressa.

The Canarinhas had been feverously supported by the Brazilian public and hoped to win the gold medal for the first time, after winning silver twice, at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

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Goalkeeper Barbara said the Brazilian players had given their best.

"It’s as if we lost a family member," said Barbara. "We know how hard we fought to get here. We know that we had the game to win the gold medal, but football is decided on the pitch and we weren’t lucky today. We went after it and we fought to the end, but we couldn’t do it today.

"Sweden stayed back and played defence with all 11 players in the back. We tried to break through with three, four attackers. We shot on goal a few times, what they didn’t do, but unfortunately the ball didn’t go in for us today."

Lisa Dahlkvist is chased down by her team-mates after Sweden won the shoot-out (Photo: Getty Images/Mark Kolbe)

Goals in either half from Melanie Behringer and Sara Dabritz gave Germany the 2-0 semi-final win against Canada, and set up the final date with Sweden.
Melanie Behringer scores Germany's first goal in their 2-0 win over Canada in Belo Horizonte (Photo: Getty Images/Celso Junior)

After staging opening ceremony, Maracanã ready to host football finale

Lisa Dahlkvist of Sweden and her teammates celebrate victory in the women's football semi-final against Brazil, at the Maracanã Stadium Photo: (Getty Images/Buda Mendes)
Andressa Alves of Brazil celebrates with the Brazilian crowd during the penalty shootout in the women's football semi-final between Brazil and Sweden Photo: (Getty Images/Mark Kolbe)
Melanie Behringer of Germany celebrates scoring a goal with her teammate Tabea Kemme, in their semi-final match against Canada, at the Mineirão Stadium Photo: (Getty Images/Pedro Vilela)
Kadeisha Buchanan of Canada shows skills with the ball in the women's semi-final match between Germany and Canada, at Mineirão Stadium Photo: (Getty Images/Pedro Vilela)
A Brazilian fan shows her support for the women's football team, with a placard saying 'Play Like a Girl', at the Maracanã Stadium. Photo: (Getty Images/Mark Kolbe)
Melissa Tancredi of Canada and Saskia Bartusiak of Germany fight for the ball in the women's semi-final match at the Mineirão Stadium. Photo: (Getty Images/Pedro Vilela)