CanWNT's scandal-plagued Olympic title defense ends with shootout loss

Canada's defense of its Olympic gold medal in women's soccer is over.

The Canadians, champions in Tokyo three years ago, lost 4-2 in a penalty shootout against Germany in the quarterfinals Saturday, ending their run in Paris that was plagued by the now infamous drone-spying scandal.

German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger slotted home the decisive spot-kick for her side after making saves on both Ashley Lawrence and Adriana Leon.

The two nations needed penalties after the match finished goalless after 120 minutes. They traded quality chances - Germany had the better looks in the first 45 minutes of normal time, the Canadians spurned a few great opportunities after the interval - but neither could break the deadlock in Marseille.

There were openings at both ends in extra time, too, but the final touch was lacking for the two medal hopefuls before the contest was decided from 12 yards out.

Sydney Lohmann hit the crossbar for Germany late in extra time, while Canada's best opening came in the 71st minute when Leon broke clean through on goal but was denied by Berger's outstretched leg.

Canada lost captain Jessie Fleming to an apparent injury midway through the match, eliminating a potential key penalty taker.

"It's just tough. Sometimes football doesn't go your way, and, that was us today," Fleming said, according to The Associated Press. "But I'm just so proud of part of this team. And I think there's a lot of positives to take away from this tournament. I mean, I really feel like we had them on the ropes in the second half."

Germany will now play the United States in the semifinals on Tuesday. The two already met in the group stage of the tournament when the Americans rolled to a convincing 4-1 victory, making a statement to the rest of the field. The winner will play for gold and be guaranteed a medal.

The U.S. last stood atop the women's soccer podium in 2012, while Germany captured gold in Rio in 2016.

Canada's tournament ends in the knockout stage after the team made a rather miraculous recovery in the opening round, emerging from Group A despite being hit with a six-point deduction by FIFA after a staff member was caught spying on group opponent New Zealand's closed training session before the tournament. A Canadian appeal against the penalty was dismissed.

"I can't quite find the tears because I shed them all this past week," Vanessa Gilles, whose dramatic goals in the group stage kept Canada alive, said after the match. "So to have gotten this far, I think is a testament to our group."

Head coach Bev Priestman, who issued a public apology for her role in the scandal, was sent home by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and then suspended by FIFA for one year from any "football-related" activities.

The two staff members deemed to be directly responsible for spying on New Zealand were given the same punishment.

Various reports in the aftermath have suggested that espionage has been a longstanding, systemic practice within the Canadian program for both the men's and women's national teams.