Team GB celebrate Caroline Weir's late strike.
Team GB celebrate Caroline Weir's late strike.

Tokyo Olympics: Caroline Weir snatches late equaliser against Canada to secure Team GB top spot


Caroline Weir’s late equaliser earned Team GB a 1-1 draw with Canada and top spot in Group E.

The substitute’s deflected effort booked a quarter-final with Australia on Friday at the Olympics.

Adriana Leon’s second-half opener looked to have earned Canada top spot before Weir, who had already hit the bar and post, struck.

Boss Hege Riise rested three-goal Ellen White and made five changes, including starting Jill Scott and Rachel Daly, with Chelsea forward Fran Kirby on the bench for the first time after shaking off injury.

Needing to win to top the group, Canada had the first chance but Evelyne Viens dragged wide.

Download the free Sporting Life app for Apple and Android devices
Download the free Sporting Life app for Apple and Android devices

Georgia Stanway had a shot blocked before Team GB gained the upper hand and should have opened the scoring after 33 minutes.

Scott teed up Daly but the Houston Dash forward was denied by Ashley Lawrence’s last-gasp block.

But GB started the second half sloppily and Ellie Roebuck had already survived a scare after wasting possession before Canada took the lead 11 minutes after the break.

Lawrence burst down the left to find space and cut the ball back for Leon to fire in high from 12 yards.

Sporting Life's preview of the men's Olympic football, including best bets
Sporting Life's preview of the men's Olympic football, including best bets

White and Kim Little replaced Scott and Daly in response and Little almost provided Weir with an equaliser with 21 minutes left.

She fed Weir and her shot from an angle hit the underside of the bar and then the far post before somehow bouncing away.

The introduction of White and Little had reinvigorated Great Britain and Stanway then shot over.

But with time running out Team GB levelled with five minutes left when Weir’s 25-yard strike deflected off Nichelle Prince to wrongfoot Stephanie Labbe in the Canada goal.

Get our best bets plus daily highlights from the Olympics
Get our best bets plus daily highlights from the Olympics

More from Sporting Life

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

FOOTBALL TIPS

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo