Germany ended Canada‘s controversial Olympic run in a penalty shootout in Marseille on Friday to set up a soccer semifinal against the U.S. women’s national team.
After a goalless draw through extra time, Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero for Germany, saving two of Canada’s penalties before converting the winning kick to settle the battle between the last two Olympic gold medal winners.
The win sets up a rematch from the group stage, when the Americans ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over the 2016 champion. The USWNT sealed its place in the last four with an extra-time win over Japan earlier on Saturday.
Sydney Lohmann nearly scored for Germany in the second extra period but her header from some six yards out just skimmed the crossbar.
Adriana Leon had perhaps the best chance of the match for Canada in the 71st minute when she threatened on a fast break, but Berger was ready.
Defending champion Canada has been dogged by a drone-spying scandal throughout the tournament, with head coach Bev Priestman banned for a year by FIFA and the team docked six points in the group stage. Despite that points penalty, which was upheld on appeal, Canada finished second in its group after winning all three of its games.
Before the tournament’s start, New Zealand reported a drone flying above training. Authorities later detained a Canada team analyst and confiscated surveillance equipment.
Two staff members were immediately sent home and Priestman removed herself from the Olympic opener. But Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue said evidence came to light that the surveillance was a “systemic ethical shortcoming,” also citing an alleged incident at the recent Copa America in the United States.
Earlier World champions Spain fought back from 2-0 down and advanced to the semifinals by beating Colombia in a penalty shootout.
Spain won 4-2 in the shootout at Stade de Lyon, with Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí scoring the decisive spot kick.
Catalina Usme and Liana Salazar failed to score from the spot for Colombia, which had looked set to advance to the last four after taking a 2-0 lead through Mayra Ramírez and Leicy Santos.
Jenni Hermoso had sparked Spain’s second-half fightback and Irene Paredes forced the game to extra time with an equalizer in the seventh minute minute stoppage time.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.