Christine Sinclair and the Canadian National Team fell 2-0 to Germany in their semi-final match of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Hopes were high for the Canadians heading into the match. They were coming off of four straight victories, including a victory over this same German team in the group stage and a decisive 1-0 defeat of Thorns FC midfielder Amandine Henry and France in the quarterfinal.
But as high as the Canadians' hopes were, they were quickly dashed in the 20th minute when Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan fouled Germany's Alexandra Popp in the penalty area. One minute later, Germany's Melanie Behringer stepped up and cooly powered her penalty kick past Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe to give the Germans a 1-0 lead.
Buchanan, however, nearly redeemed herself near the end of the first half, when her headed effort was cleared off the line by the German defense.
In the second half, Janine Beckie's 57th minute miss proved crucial, as Germany's Sara Daebritz doubled her nation's lead only three minutes later, finishing a low, hard shot past the outstretched arms of Labbe.
Sinclair and the Canadians will now face Marta and Brazil in the Bronze Medal match this Friday at 9 a.m. PT.
