“Our pride to prove people wrong,” said emotional Vanessa Gilles after scoring the winning goal in the previous fixture vs France. Somewhere, Canada did prove everyone incorrect as they clinched their third consecutive victory over last Group A rivals Colombia as well. The triumph in the final group stage fixture not only saw them progress to the knockout stages but also get their names on the history books alongside USWNT.

Unlike the 2-1 wins over New Zealand and France, this time the match concluded for Canada with a narrow win. It was Gilles who made her nation proud by scoring the game’s only goal during the hour mark. Interestingly, as per the numbers from Opta Jack, Canada has become the second women’s team to win all three group-stage matches in not one but two Olympics. Prior to 2024, the last time they clinched this feat was in the 2016 Rio games.

At first, is, of course, Emma Hayes’ USWNT, who also concluded this year’s group stage campaign with all three victories. Their inaugural feat was recorded in the 2012 London Olympics. So far, only USWNT and Canada are the only two women’s teams in history to be able to achieve this feat. Though Team USA progressed through the next stage of the competition as Group B toppers, Canada, despite winning all three points, made a second-place finish in Group A.

This comes after they were hit with a 6-point deduction over a drone spying incident, just days before the New Zealand clash. Notably, Gilles broke down when addressing the cheating rumors. But today they certainly proved everyone wrong and came out at the top. However, the question stands whether they can go all the way in the tournament.

Are Vanessa Gilles and Co. the real dark horse of the Paris Olympics 2024?

Canada embarked on their Paris Olympics journey while facing a lot of adversities. With a lot of going on off the pitch as they fought the spying scandal, it did put extra pressure on CanXNT ladies. However, they managed to overcome all the challenges and qualified, even after it was deemed impossible in the beginning. Now, with the quarter-finals ahead, the expectations have increased more from Canada.

Bev Preistman’s side will gear up for match 22 as runners-up of Group A, where they will be facing Germany, who finished as runners-up of Group B after the United States took the first place there to eventually see a face-off against Group C runners-up Japan. Speaking of other fixtures, winners of Group C Spain will lock horns against third-placed Group A side Colombia.

Likewise, the winners of Group A, France, will be facing Brazil, who were lucky enough to progress as the second third-placed team in Group C. Remarkably, Australia could have taken the place of either Brazil or Colombia but they missed out with a narrow negative goal difference. Rest, New Zealand, Nigeria, and Zambia are going back home after finishing last in their respective groups.