The U.S. Women’s National Team secured its spot in the 2024 Olympic Gold Medal match with another riveting extra-time victory, defeating longtime rivals Germany 1-0 on August 6 in a semifinal showdown at Stade de Lyon.
Forward Sophia Smith scored the game’s only goal in the 95th minute and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher finished the night with seven saves – several of the spectacular variety - to send the Americans through to the sixth gold medal match in program history and the first since 2012.
Meeting for the second time in the span of 10 days following a 4-1 U.S. victory in the group stage, the semifinal between the USA and Germany was a much more tightly contested affair. With both teams requiring extra time - and in the case of Germany, penalty kicks - to advance out of the quarterfinal round, mental and physical toughness were on full display with a spot in the Olympic final on the line. Although both teams created several chances throughout regulation, neither was able to gain separation and the match went to overtime to determine a winner.
Germany had the first few looks in extra time, but the USA’s "Triple Espresso” front line finally broke through in the 95th minute. Mallory Swanson played a deft ball into the penalty area for Smith, who chased it down and chipped it past the onrushing German and NJ/NY Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. It was Smith’s third goal of the tournament – all coming against Germany – and her team-leading eighth goal of 2024. It also marked the USA’s 10th goal of the tournament that was either scored or assisted by one of Smith, Swanson or Trinity Rodman.
The USA had two more golden chances to extend the lead as Smith got in on again on breakaways, but Berger saved them both to keep Germany in the match. On the other end of the pitch, Naeher made an incredible kick save near the end of overtime off a German header to preserve the win and send the U.S. back to Paris to compete for its first gold medal since 2012.
Naeher’s seven saves on the day marked her most ever in a World Cup or Olympic match, and she recorded her third shutout of the tournament. Naeher’s three clean sheets at Paris 2024 tied Hope Solo (2008 and 2012) for the most by any USWNT goalkeeper at a single Olympics.