Fans 'in awe' after Canada Soccer miraculously advances after Olympic drone-scandal, FIFA punishment: 'You can never take away their hearts'

Embroiled in a drone-spying scandal that is by far the early story of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Canadian women's soccer team has done the improbable with all the chips stacked against them.

Needing to go a near-impossible 3-0 in the group stage of the Olympic tournament to have any chance of advancing to the knockout round, Canada faced a must-win game against Colombia on Wednesday, after already beating New Zealand and France, respectively. A win would help them finally overcome a six-point penalty, which they were handed by FIFA as a result of the drone-spying incident.

It wasn't looking all that promising until Canada's injury-time hero against France — and author of this memorable, fiery post-game speech — Vanessa Gilles converted a perfect header off a set play to give Canada the lead in the 61st minute.

From the free-kick delivery off the boot of Jessie Fleming to the immaculate finish off the head of Gilles, everything about this tally was an absolutely beautiful site for Canadians.

Gilles, who's emotional post-game rant after Canada's defeat of France rallied fans from coast-to-coast, backed up her talk in the biggest way possible. The defender ultimately scored her second-straight game-winning goal to cap two of the most important games of her career.

If that's not clutch, I don't know what is.

Canada was in such a tough spot entering its final two round-robin games because of, incase you haven't heard, the six-point deduction levied by FIFA over the drone-spying scandal that came to light last week ahead of their Olympic opener. A Canadian analyst was caught flying a drone over a closed New Zealand training session before the staffer in question was detained and eventually sent home from the Olympics after police raided their hotel room and recovered the footage.

The point deduction — which accompanied other major punishments for Team Canada, including a one-year ban for head coach Bev Priestman and a massive fine for Canada Soccer — meant the defending Olympic champions had to finish 3-0 in group play to advance to the knockout stage. It was the tallest of tasks but the group was able to pull off a feat that seemed nearly impossible with all they were facing.

A hefty point deduction staring them in the face. Fans from far and wide calling them cheaters. Their gold medal-winning head coach being ripped away from them right before the tournament began. None of it mattered for these players.

And the nation couldn't be prouder as many flooded social media with sentiments of support, love, excitement and encouragement following Wednesday's massive win over Colombia.

The gutsy results secured a second-place finish in Group A for the defending Olympic champs. Canada will now face Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday.