LYON, France — The United States women’s national team defeated Germany, 1-0, in the semifinals on Tuesday to advance to the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sophia Smith scored a goal in overtime, assisted by Mallory Swanson, to keep the Americans’ chances of winning their first gold since 2012 alive. They will face the winner of Spain vs. Brazil, which kicks off at 3 p.m. ET, on Saturday in Paris.
Here are highlights from the USA's win over Germany.
Sophia Smith goal in overtime gives USWNT win
Sophia Smith scored in the 95th minute, and nearly had another nine minutes later, to give the U.S. women a 1-0 win over Germany. Though the Americans have four gold medals, most of any country, they haven't played in the final since 2012, when they beat Japan to win their third consecutive Olympic title.
Mallory Swanson charged up the middle of the field and slotted it to Smith in the box. She beat Felicitas Rauch, and Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger came out to try and disrupt her. But Berger came out too early and Smith put the ball right past her.
Olympics soccer schedule: When is gold medal match?
The women's soccer gold medal match is Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. ET.
Last time USWNT advanced to Olympic gold medal match
The USWNT is the most-decorated team in the women's game, with four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals. But it's been a minute since they've reached the Olympic final.
In Tokyo, the Americans won the bronze medal after falling to eventual Olympic champions Canada in the semifinals. At the Rio Olympics in 2016, the USWNT was knocked out in the quarterfinals, at the time their earliest exit ever at a major international tournament. They "topped" that dubious result last summer, losing in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The last time the USWNT made the Olympic final was in 2012, when they beat Japan to win their third consecutive gold medal. No players are left from that team.
How many gold medals has USWNT won?
The U.S has won four Olympic gold medals: 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.
USWNT Olympic wins
The USWNT is 32-7-4 all-time at the Olympics, including four gold medals, won in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Mallory Swanson subbed out for USWNT
Emma Hayes made her last sub in the 110th minute, bringing defender Casey Krueger on for Mallory Swanson. It's a smart move, given Germany will likely try and throw everything but the kitchen sink at the USWNT over the last five minutes. But should Germany score, it'll cost the Americans one of their best strikers for penalty kicks.
