PARIS — Germany will face the United States in the semi-finals of the Olympic women's football tournament, while Spain will take on Brazil after a frenetic day of quarter-final action marked by late goals and plenty of shootout drama on Saturday.
Defending champions Canada's rollercoaster ride at the Games ended with penalties heartbreak after a 0-0 draw with Germany in Marseille, with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger saving twice and scoring the winner to send "Die Nationalelf" through.
Berger kept out Ashley Lawrence's tame effort to give Germany the advantage and then made a sharp save to deny Adriana Leon, handing the initiative back to Germany after Sydney Lohmann had blazed her attempt over the bar.
The five foot, 11 inch Berger then struck the winning spot-kick herself to spark wild celebrations in the stadium.
¡MUESTRAN SU PODERÍO EN PENALES!
Alemania se impuso ante Canadá y avanzan a Semifinales de #Paris2024Revive aquí el momento donde clasifican #OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/qYjsqOQKmI
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 3, 2024
Canada vs Germany highlights
¡LAS CAMPEONAS DEL ORO CAEN EN PENALES! ❌
Canadá, equipo que logró el oro en #Tokyo2020, quedó ELIMINADO ante AlemaniaRevive aquí lo mejor del partido #OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/V3Vj3FQ7ei
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 3, 2024
World champions Spain were given an almighty scare by unfancied Colombia, scoring an injury time equaliser to come from two goals behind before winning a penalty shootout of their own to reach the final four.
An early goal in each half put Colombia in control, with Mayra Ramirez scoring in the 12th minute before Leicy Santos struck seven minutes after the interval to double their lead.
But Jenni Hermoso pulled a goal back for world number one side Spain in the 79th and Irene Paredes struck in the seventh minute of injury time to level proceedings at 2-2.
¡JENNI HERMOSO! ¡LA CAMPEONA DEL MUNDO!
Aprovecha un rebote dentro del área y acorta distancias en el partidoPeacock ➡️ https://t.co/bqaSXIEn3b
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/7HrD8KrpQ2#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/MGy8vv2qIg— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 3, 2024
¡SE EMPATÓ! ¡SE EMPATÓ! ¡SE EMPATÓ AL FINAL!
Irene Paredes se sube al ataque y empareja el encuentro para España ⚽️Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/bqaSXIEn3b
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/7HrD8KrpQ2#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/ThjQBaIeIP— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 3, 2024
The game went to penalties after two scoreless periods of extra time and it was Colombia who blinked first, with keeper Cata Coll keeping out Catalina Usme's weak attempt to give Spain an early advantage they never relinquished.
Colombia's Liana Salazar also missed her spot kick and Aitana Bonmati coolly converted Spain's fourth in a row to send them through to their first Olympic semi-final.
Hosts France were beaten 1-0 by Brazil in the day's late kick-off, after Gabi Portilho burst through two defenders to finish past keeper Constance Picaud in the 82nd minute with the South Americans' first shot on target.
¡GOOOOOOOOL DE BRASIL! ¡GOL DE BRASIL!
Gabi Portilho define sola ante la portera, aprovechó un error defensivoPeacock ➡️ https://t.co/R4LLRgJd0V
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/s62yzWD4PM#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/JPMi1guZQN— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 3, 2024
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Paris; additional reporting by Simon Jennings; editing by Clare Fallon and Ken Ferris)
