After a dominant win over Zambia on Thursday, the USWNT was back on the pitch on Sunday to face Germany at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Both countries came into Sunday’s match even on points in Group B.
USWNT thrive in France
Facing their toughest opponent in the group stage, the Americans started the match slow but regained their form quickly and picked up a massive three points over Germany, 4-1.
The Germans came out blazing after kickoff. A scoring attempt from Germany saw American keeper Alyssa Naeher struggle with controlling the ball. Still, defender Tierna Davidson cleared the ball out of the box, ending a frantic sequence.
Getting the early wake-up call out of the system, Sophia Smith put the Americans up 1-0 in the 10′. A quick passing sequence between Rose Lavelle and Trinity Rodman saw Rodman enter the box with her blistering pace and she fed a pass to Smith on the opposite side to give the Americans an early lead.
Twelve minutes after Smith’s goal, Germany equalized. Defender Giulia Gwinn fired a shot from outside the box that found its way into the bottom left corner. Germany’s goal marked the first goal conceded by the USWNT since manager Emma Hayes was hired. A goal that Naeher would want back, the Americans would regain the lead just four minutes later.
In the 26′, Mallory Swanson put the Americans back into the lead. Her third goal of the tournament, she became the first player in USWNT history to score three or more goals in the first two games at a single Olympics.
Smith fired a shot from the top of the box which was saved by German keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, but she lost control of the ball and Swanson took advantage of the fumble.
In the 44′, Smith added a brace to double her country’s lead. Smith’s attempt was deflected by a German player and the ball managed to hit the right post and get behind Berger. The Smith-Swanson-Rodman trio shined in the first half and gave the USWNT a nice cushion heading into the next 45 minutes of play.
Just like at the start of the first half, the Germans came out quick to start the second. Keeping the USWNT on its heels, Germany came close to cutting their deficit down on multiple occasions.
Naeher was nearly beaten during one of Germany’s scoring attempts, but a quick defensive play from Rodman prevented Germany from creeping back into the match.
Both sides kept pushing to find more scoring chances, but the Americans were the ones who added another tally to the scoreboard. After being subbed on for Smith, Lynn Williams added the fourth goal for the Americans in the 89′. Assisted by Swanson following a fast break, Williams drove home a shot with her left foot into the bottom right corner.
With a massive win and three points for the USWNT, they have advanced to the knockout stages of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Group B Standings:
United States: 6 points, +6 goal difference
Germany: 3 points, 0 goal difference
Australia: 3 points, -2 goal difference
Zambia: 0 points, -4 goal difference
Up Next
The USWNT will take on Australia on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. EDT in Marseille.
