The United States women took on Germany for their fifth match of Paris 2024. It was a semifinal match. The winner of this game would advance to the gold medal match. The United states was coming off of a 1-0 victory over Japan in the quarterfinals. The United States won Group B. Germany were coming off of beating Canada in a shootout. Germany finished second in Group B. Both teams were tied on matches played. The United States had the better record and goal differential. The United States beat Germany 3-1 during the group stage.
The United States dominated the group stage. They narrowly defeated Japan to reach the quarterfinals. Germany also narrowly defeated the defending champions Canada to get here. The United States already defeated Germany in this tournament. It did not seem like it would be a huge task to do it again.
In the 44′ minute Germany received a yellow card. Neither team scored in the first half. The score was tied at 0-0 after the first half.
Nothing happened in the second half. Neither team scored. No cards were given out. For the second game in a row for both teams, the game went into extra time. In the 95′ minute of the first half of extra time, the United States finally broke the tie. Sophia Smith scored the goal. Mallory Swanson got the assist. Swanson got the ball past the German bak line. Smith got to the ball while under pressure. The keeper also came out to get the ball. Smith one touched it into the back of the net. The United States took a 1-0 lead into the second half of extra time.
Germany received a yellow card in the 108′ minute. No one scored in the second half. The final score was 1-0 United States. The United States have advanced to the gold medal game for the first time since London 2012. Germany will be in the bronze medal match.
Germany was the better matchup than Canada for the United States. The United States already beat Germany. It was likely they would do it again. Germany did really well in this game to keep the United States from scoring. The United States scored when it counted the most. This is what the United States women were looking for. To make it back to the gold medal match for the first time in twelve years. London 2012 marked he end of something special for the United States. It was the last of five straight Olympic gold medal game appearances. Now after years of disappointment they are back.
The United States doubled Germanys shots. Despite this the United states only had fifty five percent of the possession. The United States had four more shots on target. The United States had three times more blocked shots. The United States had twelve less fouls. Germany received the only yellow cards of the game.
The United States are the first team to advance to the gold medal match. The United States will face Brazil or Spain in the gold medal match. Brazil are playing Spain right now. Spain are the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions. This is the first time Spain have qualified for the Olympic women’s soccer tournament. Brazil were eliminated in the group stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. At Tokyo 2020 Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals. The United States beat Brazil in the semifinals at Sydney 2000, in the group stage and gold medal match at Athens 2004, and in the gold medal match at Beijing 2008. Brazil and the United States women’s teams have a long history in the Olympics. The Paris 2024 women’s soccer tournament gold medal match will be on Saturday, August 11th, at 9:00 am PST.
Zac Electrifly 
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