'We're a damn good team': Canadian soccer players defiant in face of adversity

Vanessa Gilles's teammates know her as "the magnet."

The nickname comes from the veteran centre back's knack for attracting the ball at the right times.

On Sunday, it happened again. In the 101st minute of a tie game, Gilles collected the rebound off a shot from Jordyn Huitema and stuffed it off the post and into the back of the net, securing an emotional 2-1 comeback victory for Canada over host France.

But Gilles' post-game comments proved even more magnetic than her left foot.

"We haven't slept in the last three days. We haven't eaten. We've been crying. Like, I wouldn't say they're ideal performing situations. But we've held each other through it and we've had absolutely nothing to lose," a teary-eyed Gilles said while still standing on the pitch. 

"So what's given us energy is each other, is our determination, is our pride to prove people wrong, our pride to represent this country when all this shit is coming out about our values, about our representation as Canadians. 

"It's not us. We're not cheaters. We're damn good players. We're a damn good team. We're a damn good group and we proved that today."

Vanessa Gilles after scoring the game-winning goal in stoppage time in Canada's 2-1 win over France at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a>