BELO HORIZONTE: European champions Germany can add a first Olympic gold medal to their roll of honour after reaching the Rip 2016 women’s final with a 2-0 victory over Canada in the semi-finals at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

The Germans triumphed where their men’s team scored a notable semi-final triumph at the 2014 World Cup to outperformed Canada on both ends of the pitch despite having lost 2-1 to the same opposition in the group stage.

Top scorer Melanie Behringer converted a penalty in the 21st minute after Kadeisha Buchanan fouled Alexandra Popp. Sara Dabritz provided a 2-0 lead in the 59th minute with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Germany dominated the opening minutes and were rewarded when Behringer opened the scoring on 21 minutes. The goal represented her second from the spot against Canada at Rio 2016, her third successive goal and her fifth of the tournament.

Goalline clearance

Buchanan almost made amends for her error just before half-time when outjumped the defence only for Tabea Kemme to manage a headed goalline clearance.

Dabritz doubled the Germans’ lead 15 minutes into the second half with a composed finish on the counter attack.

Canada had several chances in the closing stages and Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult made one particularly fine save in the 77th minute from a close-range effort from Diana Matheson.

Germany will now face Sweden at the Maracana on Friday 19 while Canada play hosts Brazil in the bronze medal play-off in in Sao Paulo.

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