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The two finalists for the Olympic gold medal at the women's soccer tournament in Japan will be Sweden and Canada after Monday's narrow semifinals. Blagult edged past Australia in Yokohama while the Canucks needed a late penalty to overcome the Americans.

For Peter Gerhardsson's side, it will be their best chance at their first major title since Euro 1984 and a chance to better their 2016 Olympic silver medal. For Bev Priestman and her side, even a silver medal will improve on their two consecutive bronzes from 2012 and 2016.

This time, the bronze will go to either the USWNT or the Matildas with that clash taking place in Kashima before the Tokyo final at National Stadium.

Some takeaways.

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Swedish strength

Into their second consecutive Olympic final, there has never been a better opportunity for the Swedes to win a major title for the first time in over 30 years and to go one better than their 2016 silver medal.

On a 100% winning streak at these Games, Gerhardsson and his players are one win away from a completely dominant tournament display and you would not bet against them achieving that after Fridolina Rolfo's goal secured the win over Australia early in the second half.

Clinical Canada

One shot on target was all the Canadians needed to beat the USWNT with Jessie Fleming scoring from the penalty spot after Deanne Rose had been fouled by Tierna Davidson in the box and their win was in keeping with their low-key run to the final.

Unspectacular in Group E where they finished behind Team GB, penalties were needed to see off Brazil before the clash with their neighbors North America neighbors produced another tight encounter for a team that comes into the final having already guaranteed their best-ever Olympic finish.

USWNT undone

For the second consecutive Games, the USWNT falls short of the gold medal match and this time it likely means the end for several current internationals with many players 30 or over like Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and maybe even Alex Morgan highly unlikely to make the next Olympic roster in 2024.

Vlatko Andonovski has failed to lead the Stars and Stripes to success and now may well pay the price with questions over whether he is the right man to lead the rebuild moving forward – regardless of a potential bronze.

Aussie advantage

The USWNT will be up against it in their third-placed playoff as Australia will be playing for what could be their first-ever Olympic soccer medal with the semis already a new best showing at this level from Sam Kerr and her teammates.

Tony Gustavsson and his team could give themselves something to build on moving forward with a few international tournaments left in most members of a relatively young squad just two years away from co-hosting the 2023 World Cup.

Groundbreaking Quinn

History has also been made by Canada's Quinn as they have become the first transgender athlete to win an Olympic medal with at least silver now guaranteed for Priestman's team. Quinn was part of the bronze-winning Canadian side of 2016 before coming out in September of 2020.