yahoo sports staff
The U.S. women's national team has a chance to play for gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, after defeating Germany in extra time, 1-0. The USWNT took the win behind a stunner from Sophia Smith, who broke the stalemate in the 95th minute off a great assist from Mallory Swanson.
The two nations were in the same group during pool play, and Team USA took that match 4-1, powered by a pair of goals from Smith and a tally each by Swanson and Lynn Williams. Tuesday's match was entirely different: more balanced, more physical and with fewer goals. Although the USWNT got a number of good looks, they struggled to get past Germany's back line and keeper Ann-Katrin Berger to get to the goal.
After 90 scoreless minutes, Smith broke through and secured the team's chance to return to Paris for the final. Germany, despite powering through a penalty shootout against Canada and putting up a strong performance against the U.S., will have to settle for playing for the bronze medal instead.
The USWNT will face Brazil, who defeated Spain 4-2 on Tuesday, in Saturday's gold medal final.
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Kari Anderson
The USWNT defeats Germany 1-0 in extra time to advance to the gold medal match
The USWNT outlasts Germany in extra time to take the win, behind that beautiful extra-time goal from Sophia Smith. Absolutely huge for the U.S. — and for Smith, the savior of today's game.
Next up is a return to Paris for the gold medal match.
LET’S GO BACK TO PARIS 🇺🇸
Gear up for the Gold Medal Match » https://t.co/OzcTMutYeY #USWNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/duDk8CEzVQ
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 6, 2024
Kari Anderson
The hero of the day: Sophia Smith
It'd be a mistake not to mention the other excellent performances today, with Swanson and Rodman going strong on offense and Girma and Naeher anchoring the defense. But it will be Sophia Smith who sends the USWNT into the final with a beautiful goal.
Kari Anderson
Next stop is Paris, where the USWNT will play the winner of Brazil-Spain for the gold medal in the Parc des Princes stadium. That second semifinal will be starting shortly, and should be a fascinating one — a clash of European and South American styles of play.
Either way, it will be the United States' first time playing in the gold medal match since 2012, after getting knocked out in the quarterfinals in 2016 and earning bronze in 2021.
And it'll be extra sweet for Smith — Saturday is her 24th birthday.
SEE YOU SATURDAY 🫡🇺🇸
See AlsoUSWNT made to 'suffer' en route to Olympic finalSophia Smith's extra-time goal sends USWNT into the Olympic final with a 1-0 win over GermanyUSWNT vs. Germany highlights: Sophia Smith’s goal sends USA to Olympic gold medal gameUSWNT vs Germany live updatesThe @USWNT is going for gold at the #ParisOlympics! pic.twitter.com/asMxQ2o61g
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 6, 2024
Kari Anderson
Let's go ahead and watch that Sophia Smith goal again. Absolutely clutch, absolute stunner.
SOPHIA SMITH STRIKES IN EXTRA TIME FOR THE USA. 💥🇺🇸#ParisOlympics | 📺 USA Network and Peaco*ck pic.twitter.com/XyzQZQTEEG
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2024
Kari Anderson
With Sophia Smith's game-winning goal, each of the United States front three — Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman — have scored three goals in this tournament. Great to see from the three players who are the present and future of this U.S. national team.
Kari Anderson
And that's the game!
WE'RE PLAYING FOR GOLD!
WE'RE PLAYING FOR GOLD!
WE'RE PLAYING FOR GOLD!
WE'RE PLAYING FOR GOLD!
WE'RE PLAYING FOR GOLD!#USWNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/QNgRO6ncyv— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 6, 2024
Kari Anderson
A big, dangerous chance for Germany, with Sophia Smith clipping the back of Jule Brand just outside the box. But Klara Buehl misses the direct free kick, and a follow-up header from Germany is miraculously saved by Naeher's foot.
Smith then pushes down the field with a wide open shot, but Berger comes out for a massive save of her own. The score holds.
Kari Anderson
Germany gets another corner kick, and gets a dangerous look in the air, but Alyssa Naeher comes down with the ball.
The USWNT has shifted much of the team towards the defensive end, with Lynn Williams staying up top and Smith and Swanson in a more midfield spot.
Hayes opts to sub out Swanson for Casey Krueger, who cements that back line for the U.S. and more officially shifts the balance.
Kari Anderson
Jule Brand gets the second yellow of the game for a tackle on Sophia Smith. The U.S. get the ball back just beyond the midline; Girma takes the kick and gets the ball to Swanson, but the forwards get caught in traffic and don't get off a shot.
Kari Anderson
Halftime of extra time, with 15 minutes remaining. Sophia Smith comes up big and gives the U.S. the lead heading into that final overtime frame.
Kari Anderson
Germany gets a corner kick, but Naeher punches it out for the big save. Naomi Girma stops the rebound to keep the ball out of the box.
Kari Anderson
Another huge chance for Sophia Smith, with a wide open shot, but Berger comes up huge with a save. Still 1-0, but the vibe has shifted; the U.S. looks far more comfortable now.
Kari Anderson
Trinity Rodman gets another shot, off some more great play from Mallory Swanson, but it goes over the top.
Kari Anderson
Now that the U.S. is ahead, they can slow things down a bit. Naeher is taking a bit more time now to take the goal kick, and some German fans in the crowd are unhappy with it. Emily Fox gets a time-wasting warning from center referee Bouchra Mar Karboubi after doing the same thing on a throw-in.
Kari Anderson
Swanson's corner kick goes a bit too far, and Sonnett's attempts to save it from going out of bounds are unsuccessful.
Kari Anderson
Trinity Rodman nearly makes it two, as Swanson gives her a pass with limited defenders in front of her. Rodman's shot is deflected and gives the U.S. another huge corner.
Kari Anderson
USWNT breaks through to take the 1-0 lead
GOAL FROM SOPHIA SMITH! After more than 95 minutes of scoreless play, Swanson plays a beautiful through-ball to Smith, who catches the defense and Berger off-guard for the stunning strike.
SOPHIA SMITH. RUTHLESS.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 6, 2024
Kari Anderson
Germany gets the next, with a shot from Klara Buehl nearly sneaking under Alyssa Naeher, but the American keeper is able to keep it out of the goal.
Kari Anderson
Mallory Swanson gets the first shot of extra time, capitalizing on a turnover, but it goes wide left.
