Canada started brightly, with GB lucky not to concede a free kick on the edge of the box within 5 minutes – as was keeper Karen Bardsley, who spilled a catch from the resultant chance.

In a quiet opening period Britain’s chances were limited, with the highlight of the opening exchanges being an audacious Erin Scott shot from 35 yards out, which was comfortably saved.

Just after 10 minutes, the deadlock was broken as GB conceded their first goal of the Olympics. Canada won a corner, and midfielder Scott buried a sublime side-footed finish in the top corner.

Ten minutes later Karen Carney almost put the Brits level, putting a header inches wide from an near-perfect Alex Scott cross.

Her wastefulness was soon punished when Canada’s Sinclair compounded GB’s poor start, scoring a dipping free kick to bring her Olympic goal tally in 2012 to three – although question marks will remain over whether Bardsley left her too much room to aim at.

Following the second goal, the hosts looked out of ideas and tried to take a variety of half-chances without much success. However, after the break they started the second half more positively and the fans at the City of Coventry Stadium responded with plenty of vocal encouragement.

However, despite a few promising chances GB were unable to find a goal in the second period – despite a possibly penalty shout when Eni Aluko was sent tumbling under a clumsy challenge in the 80th minute.

After some late substitutions, Canada’s goal was threatened a few times – but some dogged defending from the North Americans ensured they saw the game out with a clean sheet.

Throughout, Hope Powell’s charges looked tired and never looked likely emulating their performance against Brazil – and it was a sad exit for a team that promised so much at the beginning of the tournament.