Canada win first ever Olympic Gold in Women's Soccer with penalty shootout win over Sweden, with USWNT placing 3rd

Goal's Seth Vertelney brings you the American women’s soccer news you need to know today.

Canada has won the Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer after defeating Sweden in a penalty shootout on Friday.

The two teams tied 1-1 after regulation and extra time. Stina Blackstenius opened the scoring for the Swedes in the first half before Canada’s Jessie Fleming leveled the score with a penalty kick in the second half.

Both teams had chances to score but couldn’t capitalize as the match went to a penalty shootout. Sweden had a chance to win the gold, but Caroline Seger missed her penalty and Julia Grosso later scored from the spot to give Canada the gold.

For Canada, it was their first Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer while Sweden took the silver for the second straight Olympics.

The U.S. took home the bronze medal on Thursday, defeating Australia 4-3 in the third-place match. It was the first time the U.S. had won the bronze at the Olympics, having previously won the gold four times.