The United States women’s national team, now led by Emma Hayes, is just two victories away from a record-breaking fifth Olympic gold medal. This follows a spectacular goal from Trinity Rodman during extra time, which finally unlocked a tightly contested quarter-final match against Japan that remained lackluster until the final moments.
The women’s football event at these Paris Games will help in assessing whether the Americans’ sluggish 46-month run under the former coach Vlatko Andonovski will simply be viewed as a disappointing period or, as many in the global football community suggest, a significant decline from their historic status as perennial favorites.
The verdict is still pending, but the initial signs are encouraging. Hayes, who took charge just two months ago after her successful tenure at Chelsea, has led the US to four consecutive victories in her initial four significant matches. After managing only four goals across as many games during last year’s World Cup disappointment, the Americans scored nine during a flawless run through the Olympic group stages. The anticipation for a 10th goal on Saturday afternoon was intense, but its eventual arrival placed Hayes’ team just a step away from the podium.
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Roundup: Brazil send France out, Spain survive
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France‘s hopes of home Olympic gold ended in heartbreak as they lost 1-0 to Brazil in their quarter-final match in Nantes.
The hosts missed a golden opportunity to take an early lead when Sakina Karchaoui’s penalty was saved by Brazil keeper Lorena. Griedge Mbock Bathy then struck the crossbar with a header, before Lorena denied Delphine Cascarino in a one-on-one just before half-time.
Brazil started the second half stronger but France fought back and the winner seemed a matter of time as Selma Bacha and Cascarino missed chances. But in the 82nd minute, France failed to clear Adriana’s shot and Gabi Portilho [pictured] slotted home to give Brazil a lead they held through 16 minutes of stoppage time.
The world champions, Spain, await in the semi-finals after they fought back to deny Colombia a surprise victory. The underdogs had taken a 2-0 lead through Mayra Ramírez and Leicy Santos, but Jenni Hermoso pulled one back in the 79th minute, and Irene Paredes levelled in the seventh minute of injury time.
With no goals in extra time, the match went to penalties and it was Colombia who blinked first, with Spain keeper Cata Coll keeping out Catalina Usme’s weak attempt. Colombia’s Liana Salazar also missed her spot kick and Aitana Bonmatí coolly converted Spain’s fourth spot-kick in a row to send them through.
Germany will face the USA in the other semi-final after they ended Canada‘s tumultuous title defence on penalties after a goalless draw. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero, saving from Ashley Lawrence and Adriana Leo before stepping up to score the winning spot-kick. Reuters
“It was very tactical,” Hayes remarked. “That’s what I appreciated about it. It was a match characterized by grit and determination, ultimately decided by a moment of brilliance.”
The first half was quite dull, with the US dominating possession yet struggling to create significant scoring opportunities against Japan’s well-structured defense. Supported by a friendly crowd erupting into “U-S-A!” chants every few minutes, the Americans opted for a more methodical approach rather than their previous direct style, yet their patience nearly backfired when Japan generated two threatening chances in the 10 minutes leading to halftime through Kiko Seike and Miyabi Moriya.
At that point, signs of fatigue among US forwards, particularly Rodman, were evident, highlighting Hayes’ choice not to rotate players during the densely packed group stage. Meanwhile, captain Lindsey Horan, previously with Paris Saint-Germain and now back on familiar turf, appeared a step behind. Korbin Albert, Hayes’ sole substitution from the win over Australia, struggled even before sustaining a knee injury late in regular time.
Things did not improve much after halftime. By the hour mark, the US looked increasingly lackluster and devoid of creative attacking ideas, while Japan, despite lacking genuine scoring chances, seemed more poised to score. They were invigorated when West Ham’s Riko Ueki replaced Mina Tanaka after 70 minutes, firing a shot that narrowly missed the goal.
Japan’s manager, Futoshi Ikeda, had already made three substitutions by the time Hayes made her first switch before extra time, bringing on Lynn Williams, the all-time NWSL goalscorer, to replace Mallory Swanson. As exhaustion set in on both sides, it led to defensive errors, notably when Japanese keeper Ayaka Yamashita had to make a close-range save after Smith took one touch too many.
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In dire need of inspiration to avoid penalties, the Americans found it in the final moments of the first extra time, thanks to Rodman, who sprinted into space behind Japan’s high press to receive a long pass from Crystal Dunn. After cutting back across to her left to evade left-back Hikaru Kitagawa, she unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner, surpassing the fully stretched Yamashita, marking her third goal of the tournament.
“I have flashes of what happened,” reflected the 22-year-old forward from Washington Spirit. “I entered the area, received a wonderful pass, and took the shot. While I had confidence in my shot, the moment felt surreal.”
Following Rodman’s goal, the Americans shifted to a defensive mindset, effectively closing out the game. After a relatively untroubled quarter-hour, Hayes’ team celebrated their advancement to the semi-finals in front of a lively crowd that notably included former USA stars Megan Rapinoe and Mia Hamm, as well as rapper Snoop Dogg.
The US now progresses to the semi-finals, where they are set to face Germany, who triumphed over Canada in a penalty shootout.
