Sophia Smith scored the lone goal in the 95th minute of the Americans' 1-0 extra time win over Germany in the first women's soccer semifinal of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday. The U.S. play Brazil in the gold medal game on Saturday, while Spain will be the Germans' opponent in a contest for the bronze.
Brazil took an early lead in their semifinal off of a snafu by Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll. A misfire during a clear attempt ricocheted off Spanish defender and captain Irene Paredes and ended in the net for an own goal. Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho added a second goal at the end of the first half. Brazil rolled to a 4-2 win en route to the final game.
After missing out on the gold medal game in each of the last two Summer Olympics, here's how the U.S. women's national team got here and what still lies ahead:
Olympics 2024: Women's soccer Olympic groups for Paris
Group A
Ranking
Team
Record
Points
Qualification
1.
France
2-0-1
6
Knockout stage
2.
Canada
3-0-0
3*
Knockout stage
3.
Colombia
1-0-2
3
Knockout stage
4.
New Zealand
0-0-3
0
Points: three for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss. *=Canada was docked six points for illegal drone spying at an official training venue.
Group B
Ranking
Team
Record
Points
Qualification
1.
USWNT
3-0-0
9
Knockout stage
2.
Germany
2-0-1
6
Knockout stage
3.
Australia
1-0-2
3
4.
Zambia
0-0-3
0
Points: three for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss.
Group C
Ranking
Team
Record
Points
Qualification
1.
Spain
3-0-0
9
Knockout stage
2.
Japan
2-0-1
6
Knockout stage
3.
Brazil
1-0-2
3
Knockout stage
4.
Nigeria
0-0-3
0
Points: three for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss.
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