What we learned: Women's football highlights from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Women's football brought us some unforgettable moments at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Canada stole the headlines with an historic gold, beating the USA for the first time in over 20 years on their way to the top of the podium.

Vivianne Miedema, Barbra Banda, and Quinn entered the Olympic history books with some impressive performances.

But it was Quinn who delivered one of the most poignant moments of the Games, becoming the first openly transgender athlete to win a medal of any colour.

Below, we take a look back at the most memorable moments, a recap of the medal winners, and who to look out for at the Paris 2024 Olympics, less than three years away!

Top 5 women's football moments at Tokyo 2020

Here are the best bits:

1 - A global title at last for Christine Sinclair

The player who has scored the most goals in international football - men's and women - finally landed a major tournament title to complete her sensational career.

Canada's Christine Sinclair achieved legendary status long before stepping onto the pitch at Tokyo 2020, but despite the record goalscoring, the only tournament win to her name was the 2011 Pan American Games. After two Olympic bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016, the 38-year-old struck gold in Japan.

A goalscorer in their opening group game against the hosts, she now has 187 in 304 internationals. As captain relished the semi-final 'revenge' win over the USA, and won a penalty in the final which went some way toward Canada's triumph.

Their win might even persuade Sinclair to have one more crack at the Women's World Cup.

2 - Trio of youngsters make themselves known

Gabi Rennie, who was uncapped for New Zealand going into the Games, wasted no time in introducing herself to the world stage at Tokyo 2020.

Coming on in the 88th minute against Australia, the 20-year-old nodded past opposition keeper Lydia Williams with her first touch of the game.

While the goal couldn't prevent New Zealand losing 2-1, Rennie demonstrated exactly why she’s regarded one of the country’s most promising talents.

Australia unearthed a future star of their own too.

Mary Fowler, 18, scored a sensational goal in extra-time against Great Britain to help the Matildas reach the semi-finals.

And who could forget 20-year-old Julia Grosso, who stepped up to take Canada’s gold medal-winning penalty, slotting past one of the best goalkeepers the women’s game has ever seen in Sweden's Hedvig Lindahl.

3 - Barbra Banda and Zambia

It was an Olympic debut to remember for Barbra Banda.

The Zambian captain scored a hattrick in her first game, despite losing heavily to the Netherlands.

Against China, however, a thrilling 4-4 draw earned the Africans a point with Banda netting another hattrick.

The prolific forward becoming the first woman to score two hattricks in an Olympic tournament – and while Zambia were unable to make it out of the group, it was a Games to remember for the team.

4: Another one for the record books for Vivianne Miedema

Vivianne Miedema, scoring goals and breaking records – three things that are never far from each other.

And the Dutch sensation proved it once more at Tokyo 2020.

Despite the Netherlands being knocked out in the quarter-finals, Miedema finished the tournament as the top goal scorer, four clear of her nearest rival.

She also broke the record of most goals scored in a single Olympic tournament, previously held by Canada’s Christine Sinclair.

5: Sweden 3-0 USA

Considering the USA's dominance in the lead up to the Olympic Games, this result was a seismic upset.

Vlatko Andonovski and his side were unable to find a response to the effective Swedish press defence, which made it impossible to create chances.

That victory demonstrated how far the Europeans have progressed in the last five years.

And while the Olympic gold was not meant to be for Sweden this time, they won plenty of hearts thanks to their exciting football.

One last look

The Olympic final showed demonstrated the two sides of elite sport: utter joy and total heartbreak.

Sweden's silver medal meant the likes of Caroline Seger and Hedvig Lindahl continue their search for a major title. Lindahl also revealed that Tokyo 2020 was likely to be her last major international tournament.

However, it was elation for Canada and Quinn. It almost didn't matter what they did on the pitch, as their achievement transcended beyond a score line.

On the opening day of the tournament, the Canadian became the first openly transgender and non-binary athlete to compete at an Olympic Games.

Beating the USA in the semi-finals to progress through to the gold medal match meant another piece of history, Quinn would be the first openly transgender and non-binary athlete to medal at a Games. In the end, a dramatic penalty shootout meant that Quinn would become the first to win an Olympic gold.

But medal or not, they will always be known for being a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community in sport.

Brazilian legends Marta and Formiga also made history, becoming the first player to score at five consecutive Games, and the first player to feature at seven Summer Olympics respectively.

Hello Paris 2024

With both the Euros and the FIFA Women's World Cup cropping up between now and Paris 2024, as well as Olympic qualifiers, there can be no assumptions as to who will feature in France.

However, a safe bet is super consistent Sweden. The Europeans have won back-to-back Olympic silver medals and will be hopeful of going one better in France.

Bronze medallists USA have not been their usual unbeatable selves at Tokyo 2020, and it will be interesting to see how they return in three years time.

When and where to watch football replays on Olympics.com

We've got you covered. Replays are available now, right here.

When do the women's football teams compete next?

The AFC Women's Asian Cup starts on 13 September this year, while the Africa Women Cup of Nations starts on 18 October.

Elsewhere, the CONCACAF Women's Championship kicks off this November.

In July 2022, the European teams will be back in action at UEFA Women's Euro 2022, alongside the 2022 Copa America Femenina and the 2022 OFC Women's Nations Cup which begin in the same month.

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup takes place in Australia and New Zealand, 20 July - 20 August.

Full medals list for women's football at Tokyo 2020 in 2021

Gold: Canada

Silver: Sweden

Bronze: United States