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The United States women’s national team will play for a gold medal in the Olympics for the first time in 12 years after defeating Germany in the semifinal 1-0 on Tuesday. An unbelievable Alyssa Naeher save vs Germany is to thank.
USWNT fans had their hearts drop to their stomachs in the final minutes of extra time when Germany were awarded a dangerous free kick. In the dying seconds the ball was lofted into the box and headed toward goal.
Germany looked certain to level, but Naeher spread her appendages like a glorious, flying starfish and managed to keep the ball out with her left foot.
Alyssa Naeher save vs Germany
Somehow Alyssa Naeher's save has not been posted yet so here you go pic.twitter.com/QeHILvITpx
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) August 6, 2024
Unbelievable. Naeher, 36, is a brick wall! Tuesday’s game was her third clean sheet of the Olympics. She’s only conceded two goals in five games.
Germany were without several key players like star Alexandra Popp who missed out due to illness. Still, they rebounded incredibly from the 4-1 thrashing they suffered in the group stage against the USWNT.
The USWNT had a difficult time breaking down a compact German squad on Tuesday. On offense the Germans had a number of looks at goal and forced seven saves from Naeher including that pivotal denial at the end.
Head coach Emma Hayes made a number of tactical decisions and substitutions in response with arguably her most important being subbing in Lynn Williams for Rose Lavelle. She then put Williams in attack and shifted Mallory Swanson into midfield.
The rotation worked beautifully in the 95th minute as Swanson slipped through Sophia Smith to score the game-winner.
SOPHIA SMITH STRIKES IN EXTRA TIME FOR THE USA. #ParisOlympics | USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/XyzQZQTEEG
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2024
The front three of Smith, Swanson and Trinity Rodman have now combined for nine goals with each player contributing three.
The gold medal match will be played on Saturday, Smith’s birthday, against the winner of Spain/Brazil.
USWNT vs Germany highlights
✅ ¡VAN POR LA DE ORO!
USWNT se clasificó a la Final de #Paris2024 tras vencer en tiempo extra a AlemaniaRevive aquí lo mejor del partido #OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/x7CfqWxum2
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 6, 2024
