Olympic Soccer 2016: Brazil vs. Canada Live Stream and Form Guide
Hosts Brazil are likely still smarting from their penalty shootout loss to Sweden in the semi-final of the women's soccer event at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Still, the South American nation can earn consolation by beating Canada in the bronze-medal match.
It will require big performances from Brazil's notable attacking talent, most of whom have been quiet in recent matches, even the legendary Marta. Of course, Canada will be able to counter with 33-year-old prolific striker Christine Sinclair.
Before a more in-depth preview, here are the schedule details, streaming information and form guides for each nation.
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Date: Friday
Time: Noon ET
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra
Form Guide for Brazil: LWDWW
Form Guide for Canada: LWWWW
All form guide information via FIFA.com.
Preview
It will naturally pain both sides to know they lost in the semifinal to teams they beat comfortably earlier in the tournament. Brazil couldn't break down a Sweden side they put five goals past in the group stage. Meanwhile, Canada's 2-0 defeat to Germany in the final four erased the memory of the former's 2-1 win in the group stage.
The veteran Canada squad likes to lean on the experience of several players aside from Sinclair. They include Melissa Tancredi, 34, Rhian Wilkinson, 34, and Diana Matheson, 32, per Daniel Squizzato of MLSSoccer.com.
The quartet's savvy will be invaluable in trying to keep the ball away from a Brazil team that is stocked with flair. In particular, Marta and fellow attackers Cristiane and Beatriz have each found the net twice at these Games, per FIFA.com.
It's a trio that combines perceptive movement with artful passing and defence-stretching pace. Yet, it's also a forward-thinking group that disappointed in the semi-final, with Cristiane seeing a spot-kick saved during the shootout.
For all their ingenuity up front, Brazil have actually failed to score in their last three Olympic matches. Australia took them to penalties in the last eight, and South Africa held them to a goalless draw in their final group game.
As usual, though, the Canadians will look to Sinclair for an answer to any potency in attack from their opponents. The veteran striker declared before the Games she's not yet ready to call time on her career, according to Kurt Larson of the Toronto Sun.
She's been a success in the tournament, finding the net twice to offer a reminder of her enduring class. Sinclair has also received excellent support from Janine Beckie, the top scorer at these Games with three goals.
The Beckie and Sinclair partnership can decide the destination of bronze if Canada are direct and decisive on the break. However, if Marta and Co. are inspired to rekindle the magic by one last chance for glory on home soil, Brazil's greater attacking depth will tell.
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