VANCOUVER—Canada vs. England. Two evenly matched teams. Two similar styles of physical play. It seemed inevitable this one would go down to the wire.

However, a span of three minutes in the first half would seal Canada’s fate at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Here are my three takeaways from Saturday’s quarterfinal against England, which Canada lost 2-1.

Three minute flurry

A slip by Lauren Sesselmann in the 11th-minute proved to be the game changer. English forward Jodie Taylor was able to scoop up the ball from the fallen centre-back’s feet, elude defenders Allysha Chapman and Kadeisha Buchanan, and then beat goalkeeper Erin McLeod low on the far post.

Obviously rattled by the early goal, Canada was unable to clear out an England free kick three minutes later. Defender Lucy Bronze would go on to score her second of the tournament.

That raises the question: What would have happened if Melissa Tancredi was able to finish her early opportunity when the match was 0-0? Hindsight, of course, is 20/20.

Sinclair everywhere, doing everything

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe what Christine Sinclair means to this team, this sport and this country. Her work over 90 minutes in the quarterfinal was that of a determined leader, ready to do anything to help her side win.

Her goal near the end of the first half gave everyone hope: her team, the 54,027 faithful at Vancouver’s BC Place and all those tuned in from coast-to-coast.

The image of the captain scoring, picking up the ball from the back of the net and bringing it back to the centre circle in an effort to encourage everyone was an indelible moment.

End of an era

With the result, we’re also on the cusp of saying goodbye to a tremendous generation of Canadian players.

Of note, in likely her last World Cup, Diana Matheson was able to see some minutes versus England. It would’ve been a shame not to see her suit up at all, given her lengthy national team resume and how hard she battled numerous injuries since last fall.

Last month, goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc announced this tournament would close out her international career. For many, many years, she has been a tremendous leader and spokesperson for both the team and the sport. LeBlanc comforted youngster Buchanan after the loss to England, in what was a changing of the guard happening right before our eyes.

While no other retirements have been officially announced or confirmed, many of the older players did imply this would be the final hurrah for them. Certainly, the pain of the quarterfinal loss will sting, but there’s something special to be said about being able to wrap up your career at a World Cup in your home country.

NOTES: History marched on, as still no team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit in the knockout stage of this tournament… Coach John Herdman said Allysha Chapman played with an oblique tear… Christine Sinclair finishes the World Cup leading her team in scoring with two goals…Canada’s other goals were scored by Ashley Lawrence and Josee Belanger… Erin McLeod made 10 saves over the span of five matches (76.9 save rate)… Herdman confirmed the team will soon go through a transitional phase… Up next is the Pan American Games in Toronto where the women’s team will be an Olympic development squad made up of mostly U-23 players.