US Women’s Soccer Olympics: USWNT Beats Germany to Advance to Final

The United States women’s national soccer team is heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics Gold Medal match.

On Tuesday, the USWNT beat Germany, 1-0, needing extra time to score the winning goal and advance to the Gold Medal match for the first time since 2012.

In the 95th minute in extra time, the United States finally broke through as Mallory Swanson made a great pass into the box to Sophia Smith, who immediately put a shot on goal after beating German defender Felicitas Rauch. Smith chipped the shot over the right leg of Germany’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, giving the USWNT a 1-0 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish for the remaining 25 minutes of extra time. Here’s a video of the play:

The USWNT will face the winner of the Brazil vs. Spain semifinal match in the Gold Medal match. The United States last made the Gold Medal match in the 2012 Olympics in London, where they beat Japan, 2-1, to win their third consecutive gold medal. In 2008, the USWNT beat Brazil, 1-0, in the Gold Medal match in the Beijing Olympics. In 2004, the United States beat Brazil, 2-1, in the Gold Medal match in the Greece Olympics.

However, in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the United States got the bronze medal after losing to Canada in the semifinals. The U.S. beat Australia in the Bronze Medal match. In the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the United States lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals and didn’t medal.

This year, the United States will earn a gold or silver medal.

USWNT — US players celebrate after US’ forward #11 Sophia Smith scores in the 95th minute during the women’s semi-final football match between USA and Germany during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Lyon Stadium in…

OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. got off to a fast start, getting three shots on goal in the first seven minutes. However, Berger was able to stop all three, which were the United States’ best chances of the first half.

In the second half, Swanson had the United States’ best chance on goal, nearly missing a shot that hit the front post side netting. Then, in the 86th minute, Swanson netted a goal, but it was called offside.

In the 118th minute, Germany had a great chance on goal. However, Alyssa
Naeher found a way to keep it out of the net, maintaining the USWNT’s 1-0 lead.