Germany advances to play for Olympic gold, beats Canada 2-0

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) Melanie Behringer and Sara Daebritz each scored Tuesday to send Germany to its first Olympic gold-medal match with a 2-0 win over Canada.

Behringer scored from the penalty spot in the 21st minute at the Mineirao Stadium, and Daebritz's goal came in the 59th. It was Canada's first loss of the tournament.

Germany, which has won three Olympic bronze medals in women's soccer, will face Sweden in the final on Friday at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The Swedes advanced 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless draw against host Brazil.

Canada, which won bronze four years ago, was the only team from the medal round at the 2012 London Games to return to the semifinals in Brazil. The Canadians will play the host country for the bronze medal at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.

''I can't fault this group, they have been outstanding,'' Canada coach John Herdman said. ''Not the result we wanted but still proud.''

Second-ranked Germany, a two-time Women's World Cup champion, won Olympic bronze medals in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.

The Germans defeated Sweden 2-1 in the final of the 2003 Women's World Cup, which was held in the United States because of the SARS outbreak in China.

The final gives Germany's Silvia Neid a chance to finish her career with a gold medal. The respected coach is stepping down following this Olympics to take a scouting role.