There are pet peeves, and there are black beast. Canada believed in this rare victory against the Americans. But the Reds ultimately had to admit defeat, once again, this time in the SheBelieves Cup final. After a 2-2 draw, the United States won after a thrilling penalty shootout in Columbus.
The stakes were minimal, yes: this short tournament involving four teams mainly serves as preparation for the next Olympic Games. But there is no insignificant match between these two great rivals. Rivalry outrageously dominated by the United States, moreover: here they are with 54 victories in 66 meetings since 1986.
The scenario could well have been different: we needed a session of seven penalties from both sides to decide between the two teams. The momentum passed from one side to the other, before Évelyne Viens saw her shot blocked by the goalkeeper, so that Emily Fox then achieved this seventh SheBelieves title for the Americans.
Leon, on fire
A soporific first half finally saw its first sparks around the half-hour mark. Young American star Jaedyn Shaw took a point-blank shot in the Canadian area, but was met by Kailen Sheridan at the top of his art.
PHOTO GRAHAM STOKES, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Jaedyn Shaw makes a shot that is saved by Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
Canada absorbed the United States’ possession, attempting to pinch them in transition. It paid off in the 40e minute, while a gazelle named Ashley Lawrence moved forward with vivacity on the right help, even suffering a hard collision with American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. The latter was at the same time completely displaced to the edge of its surface. In front of a vacant net, Adriana Leon made it 1-0 with a daring shot between the legs of a defender.
The Americans did not take long to right the ship after returning from the locker room. From the 50e, Sophia Smith equalized the score with a good left-footed shot. Then she did it again at 68eat the end of a lethal counterattack with Trinity Rodman.
PHOTO AARON DOSTER, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Sophia Smith (11) and Trinity Rodman (22)
We thought this momentum would propel them to a 54e victory in 66 games against the Reds, Canada offering very little opposition in the following minutes…
… But Adriana Leon had not said her last word. At 84e minute, she let herself fall in the area after a slight contact in the area, going for a penalty that could be described as professional. Confident in the running times, the gunner scored her second of the match to bring everyone back to square one.
Kadeisha Buchanan almost gave the Canadians the lead in the final moments of regular time, but her header hit the crossbar powerfully on a corner.
Among the Canadians, Jessie Fleming, Adriana Leon, Julia Grosso, Ashley Lawrence succeeded in their shot attempt on goal – Jade Rose, Cloé Lacasse and Évelyne Viens missed it.
More details will follow.