USA women to face Brazil in showpiece
SOPHIA Smith’s extra-time goal yesterday earned the United States a spot in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics with a 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany.
The Americans, undefeated in France under new coach Emma Hayes, will be vying for their fifth gold medal in their sixth appearance in the Olympic women’s soccer final.
The United States will play Brazil on Saturday in Paris after the Samba stars saw off Spain last night.
The bronze medal match will take place on Friday at Lyon.
Smith broke the scoreless stalemate five minutes into extra time, out maneuvering defender Felicitas Rauch and German goalkeeper AnnKatrin Berger.
After scoring her third goal of the tournament, Smith fell to the ground in celebration and joined in an embrace with teammate Mallory Swanson.
“I saw like a little opening of net and I was just like, `I’ve got to put it there. Just put it there,”’ Smith said. “It was a good feeling. I know I had a few other chances this game that I should have put away. But sometimes one is all it takes.”
Save
At the final whistle, the US players ran downfield to embrace goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who made a key save when she jumped and kicked the ball away from the goal with her left foot in the waning moments of the second extra period.
“The goal is closer but the job’s not done yet,” Swanson said. “I think that obvioulsy we’re in a great position. You take this win and we’re on a high right now, but it’s important just to stay steady with everything we’re doing. Just stay steady.”
The United States had missed out on the finals at the last two Olympic tournaments, eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and relegated to the bronze-medal match at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
Brazil cruised last night against their Spanish opponents, racing into a two-goal lead at half-time.
An Irene Parades own goal on six minutes was followed up by Gabi Portilho’s effort in first-half added time.
Adriana made it three in the second half before Salma Paralluelo’s consolation goal.