Germany advanced to the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 gold medal match after a 2-0 victory over Canada in the semi-finals at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

The Europeans outperformed Canada on both ends of the pitch despite losing to the Canadians 2-1 earlier in the tournament's group stages.

Top goalscorer Melanie Behringer scored from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after Kadeisha Buchanan made a rash challenge on Alexandra Popp in the area to concede the penalty kick. Sara Daebritz then gave Germany the 2-0 lead in the 59th minute with a low drive on the edge of the Canadian penalty area.

Germany was the dominant side in opening minutes, constantly applying pressure on Canada, with the North Americans struggling to cope. The Germans were eventually rewarded for their relentless pressure when Behringer opened the scoring on 21 minutes. The goal represented her second from the spot against Canada at Rio 2016, her third successive goal and her fifth of the tournament.

However, Buchanan almost made amends for her error right before half-time when she jumped the highest from a cross and headed towards goal, but Germany's Tabea Kemme was there to make a goalline clearance with her head.

Daebritz then doubled the Germans' lead in the 59th minute with a composed finish after a clinical counter attack from Silvia Neid's side.

The Germans remained resolute in the back despite several shots from Canada, namely Ashley Lawrence and Diane Matheson. Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult made the save of the day in the 77th minute from a close-range effort from Matheson. Schult and her team held on to their two-goal lead and kept their Olympic gold medal dream alive.

The Women's Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 final will be an all-European encounter between Germany and Sweden at the Maracana on Friday 19 August. Canada will play hosts Brazil for a chance to win the bronze medal on the same day in Sao Paulo at the Arena Corinthians.