Canada won the Women’s Olympic gold medal after a penalty shoot-out in a very tight final against Sweden.

Stina Blackstenius gave the Swedes a 35th-minute lead with a deflected shot but Canada were back on level terms midway through the second half, Jessie Fleming converting from the spot after Christine Sinclair won a penalty decision with the help of VAR.

Kosovare Asllani saw her late opportunity cleared off the line, Fleming firing just over in the final chance of normal time.

Sweden’s Lina Hurtig and Canada’s Jordyn Huitema both put headers wide when well placed before penalties became required.

Both sides struck the woodwork once, Hedvig Lindahl and Stephanie Labbe each made two saves and eventually in sudden-death it was Julia Grosso who netted the decider for Canada.

TodayNG