Despite the fatigue of 6 matches in 10 days, and the emotional pressure of Monday's semi finals against the united States, Canada repelled just about everything France threw at them, as their opponents had most of the scoring chances. But, time and again, Canada's defence held strong and in the 92nd minute Diana Matheson followed the play after chipping a ball to Sophie Schmidt and banging home the ball when it rebounded to her.
"It feels amazing. We felt as a group that we were going to earn this and we had to do it in the last minute," said Matheson. "Our aim in coming into this tournament was to be on the podium and we had the perfect opportunity to do that. This is what we have been focused on." She also feels this victory could be big for the future of soccer in the country. "It means so much to us, we came in wanting to leave a legacy for Canadian soccer and I think we did that," said Matheson.
Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, the tournament's leading scorer with six, is proud of the way her teammates competed in the bronze medal game. "It’s been a long battle on this national team and John (Herdman) came on board and completely changed everything. I’m just so proud of this team," said Sinclair, "we battled through exhaustion today and came out on top."
The winning goal came after a 92 minute contest that was dominated by a France side that never looked likely to lose the game. Wave after wave of French attacks were turned away by keeper Erin McLeod and the Canadian defensive line. Twice in a one minute span, France rattled the ball off the Canadian net coming close to taking the lead. Defender Rhian Wilkinson said the team "had their hearts in their mouths on a few occasions, but we just kept battling and trusted in ourselves."
The game never really came to life after the drama of the semi finals game. Both teams looked drained after their respective semi-finals. In the second half, France became stronger and would have taken the lead had it not been for some help from the goal frame and some last gasp Canadian defending. In the 69th minute, France finally put a shot on target through Corine Franco, but Desiree Scott threw out a leg to clear the ball off the line.
Canada's head coach John Herdman felt his team answered everything asked of them coming off an emotional semi-final defeat to claim the bronze. "It was a hell of a game the other night, and the big question was could they repeat that? Could they get up again?" "You know France, all credit to them, were outstanding, and they were the better team for periods, but you have got to put the ball in the back of the net and we weren't going to let them do that today."
Canada's starting XI had Erin McLeod in goal, Rhian Wilkinson at right back, Carmelina Moscato and Lauren Sesselmann at centre back and Marie-Eve Nault at left back. Sophie Schmidt, Diana Matheson, Desiree Scott, Melissa Tancredi, Christine Sinclair and Jonelle Filigno made up the midfield and the attack. In the second half Canadian coach John Herdman replaced Filigno with Kaylyn Kyle (56’), Tancredi with Brittany Timko (77’) and Nault with Candace Chapman (84’).
France had a starting XI of Sarah Bouhaddi in goal with Wendie Renard, Laura Georges, Corine Franco and Sonia Bompastor on the back line. Sandrine Soubeyrand, Louisa Necib, Elise Bussaglia, Marie-Laure Delie, Elodie Thomis and Gaetane Thiney made up the midfield and attack. In the second half, French coach Bruno Bini replaced Soubeyrand with Camille Abilly (54’), Delie with Eugenie le Sommer (61’).
