2024 Paris Olympics women's soccer: USWNT and Spain clear favorites to meet for gold with four teams remaining

1.

Spain

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The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup champions have been tested throughout the Olympics and have had an answer each time. Narrow scorelines are still victories, and the might not be a more patient team with confidence at the tournament right now.

2.

United States

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Trinity Rodman is having a Golden Ball type of tournament at the moment while her teammates are in the running for the Golden Boot. Head coach Emma Hayes and the squad will compete for medals no matter the outcome of the tournament and it's an overachievement for a program getting its confidence back  as they get back on track.

3.

Germany

+3

The Germans have hit their stride in the tournament with a decisive final group match against Zambia and eliminating the Tokyo gold medalists Canada in the quarterfinals. Goalkeeper Ann Katrin Berger delivered a lights-out performance during a penalty shootout, and the team could be peaking at the right time.

4

Brazil

+4

The squad has been on a roller coaster throughout their Olympic campaign. Let a lead slip late against Japan, snuck into the quarterfinals as a third place finisher, lost Marta to a red card suspension on the final game of group play, and delivered an upset in the quarterfinals by eliminating tournament hosts France. Gaby Portilho will need another big performance in front of goal if they want to reach the gold medal game.

5.

Japan

-1

They went toe to toe against the United States in the quarterfinal but were eliminated in extra time. Another step in progress for the national team program, but will need to keep improving if they want to advance in future cycles.

6.

Colombia

+1

Managed a chunk of the tournament without Mayra Ramirez due to a two-game red card suspension and delivered high drama against Spain, but couldn't close out the quarterfinal against the World Champions. The program should be proud of two consecutive quarterfinal appearances in major global tournaments, but the federation will need to keep up the resources to remain competitive.

7.

Canada

-4

The players put up valiant efforts while the federation had to deal with a spying scandal. Dronegate aside, the reigning gold medalists rallied behind each other for a quarterfinal run in spite of six point deduction and now that they're eliminated, the federation will have until the 2027 World Cup to figure out the next steps.

8.

France

-4

Considered a contender for the gold medal at one point, the tournament hosts were eliminated in the quarterfinals. The federation gave Herve Renard 18 months with the women's national team and they delivered the same result as they had in several previous international cycles. Their next coaching hire will need to be a defining one and a role that not only continues development but changes the culture and breaks through to a title.

9.

Australia

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Never actually got going during the Olympics, with a lopsided loss against Germany, a wild 6-5 victory against Zambia, and a 3-1 loss against the United States. Their one group win wasn't enough to advance into knockouts and now Tony Gustavsson is out as head coach. Three fourth-place finishes in two Olympics and a World Cup to eliminated in a group stage, could it be time for a program revamp?

10.

Nigeria

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The Super Falcons played their opponents touch but only scored one goal throughout their entire group stage. It just wasn't enough, and it's a reflection of the federation's lack of support to ensure the talent on the roster has enough resources to compete at the highest levels.

11.

Zambia

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The Copper Queens were eliminated in the group stage of their second Olympic appearance, but Barbra Banda continues to make history with the team. She scored her third ever hattrick at an Olympic Games and leaves with 10 Olympic goals all-time in her tournament appearances.

12.

New Zealand

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The Football Ferns were spied on by Canada and had their Olympics filled with headlines about it. They were ultimately eliminated, struggled against other opponets down to the final group game, and struggled to advance in another major tournament.