For the first time since 2012, the United States women's national team will be playing for an Olympic gold medal after defeating Germany 1-0 in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics on Tuesday. THE USWNT ARE GOING TO THE GOLD-MEDAL MATCH đ
pic.twitter.
com/cm1KuMHyNK The USWNT will face the winner of Brazil vs. Spain in the final on Saturday and will be motivated to return to the top of the podium for the first time since the London Games 12 years ago. After both teams went scoreless during regulation, extra time was needed to determine the winner.
Sophia Smith found the back of the net after a beautiful through ball from Mallory Swanson that allowed her to float the ball over Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger's head. SOPHIA SMITH STRIKES IN EXTRA TIME FOR THE USA. đ„đșđž#ParisOlympics | đș USA Network and Peacock pic.
twitter.com/XyzQZQTEEG SOPHIAAAAAAAAAđ€© @sophsssmith @NBCOlympics https://t.co/kP2LBEq6MT The goal occurred less than five minutes into extra time, creating a nerve-racking overtime period.
Smith tried to put in a second goal in the 104th minute, but Berger was there for the save. Germany had a corner near the end of the first half of overtime but failed to convert. Germany remained on the attack in the final 15 minutes.
Janina Minge had a shot in the box in the 114th minute that was off-target. Germany received a free kick in the 118th minute that made the Americans sweat, but star goalie Alyssa Naeher saved the header attempt by Laura Freigang to preserve the lead. Alyssa Naeher you are magnificent pic.
twitter.com/Gv5tkEhLP0 USWNT also needed an extra-time goal to earn a spot in the semifinals, as Trinity Rodman's strike helped the team advance past Japan on Saturday. It's the first time since 2004 that the USWNT played consecutive extra-time matches in Olympics fixtures.
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