With a 1-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday, Sophia Smith’s goal in extra time secured the United States’ spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics gold medal match.
Even though Germany attempted a late equaliser, Emma Hayes will manage a final in her maiden tournament as head coach of the United States after Mallory Swanson was denied a winner in normal time.
Alyssa Naeher swiftly reacted to get down and push Jule Brand’s low shot wide, keeping Germany from taking the lead in the first half, unlike in their group-stage matchup, which ended 4-1 to the overpowering Stars and Stripes.
Mallory Swanson thought she had won the game in the 86th minute when she grabbed Trinity Rodman’s throughball and blasted a low effort into the bottom corner of the goal, but the offside call denied her.
Five minutes into the extra period, Swanson took the lead, and Smith executed a flawless run, slipping in underneath Berger for the lead with a fantastic effort.
There was late drama, too, as Smith was denied a second goal at the other end by Berger’s fast thinking after Naeher masterfully stopped Laura Freigang’s close-range header.
Smith, who has been playing at her best during the Olympics, scored her team’s third goal to lead them to their 11th major tournament final.
She is also the second player from the United States to score in three or more straight games against Germany, following Abby Wambach who did so five times between 2009 and 2012.
In the meantime, Germany was experiencing well-known heartbreak as they lost to the USA in half of their previous ten big tournament eliminations (the Olympics and World Cup).
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