PARIS — Brazil reached the Olympic women's football final as they claimed a stunning 4-2 win over world champions Spain in Marseille on Tuesday and will face the United States for the gold medal.
Playing their sixth Olympic semi, Brazil capitalized on a number of Spanish defensive mistakes to reach Saturday's final at Parc des Princes where they will seek a maiden title against four-time champions USA.
The United States women’s national team advanced to the gold medal match with a 1-0 victory vs. Germany on Tuesday, however not all USA fans were impressed.
American captain Lindsey Horan has received the most criticism of any USWNT player on the field after a string of poor performances. Her two knockout games against Japan and Germany saw careless giveaways that sprung attacks for the opponent and sluggish play in the midfield.
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.
PARIS — Brazil veteran Marta will miss her team's semi-final against Spain in the Paris Olympics women's soccer tournament later on Tuesday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed her two-match suspension.
The 38-year-old, who is her country's all-time leading scorer and will retire from international football this year, had been shown a straight red card in their group loss to Spain on July 31 after a dangerous challenge late in the first half.
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.
The United States women’s national team narrowly surpassed Japan in the Olympic quarterfinals on Saturday with a nervy 1-0 victory with several poor individual performances. USWNT captain Lindsey Horan had one of the worst showings.
The 30-year-old captain had a number of sloppy turnovers that turned into opportunities for Japan, she was far too slow on and off the ball and had a scare or two back on defense.
In the 35th minute she uncharacteristically let Japan’s Mina Tanaka spin away from her in the box to rip a shot that forced Alyssa Naeher into action.
An incredible Trinity Rodman goal vs Japan in extra time of the Olympics quarterfinal saved the United States women’s national team in a poor showing on Saturday.
The USWNT were untouchable in the group stage sweeping Zambia, Germany and Australia while scoring a team record nine goals in the three games.
Saturday was a drastically different performance as head coach Emma Hayes deployed an exhausted side that were off the pace and tremendously struggled to break down Japan’s defense which utilized a brick wall 5-4-1 defense.
Thursday night was special for Angel City FC as they welcomed back United States women’s national team icon Christen Press for the first time in two years.
An ACL injury and four surgeries have kept Press off the field since the knee injury she sustained during a game in June 2022.
Press’ cameo on Thursday was brief as she came on in the 88th minute, but it didn’t take anything away from the emotional and amazing return of a USWNT great.
Christen Press returns
United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes started the same players in midfield (Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle and Sam Coffey) for all three Olympic group stage games. The USWNT midfield will change for the quarterfinals.
Hayes made a risky decision for the group stage finale against Australia and started Coffey plus Trinity Rodman despite the two players already having a yellow card in the tournament. A second yellow would mean they miss the quarterfinals.
San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis filed a defamation suit on Monday against a former team employee who accused Ellis on social media of creating a harsh work environment.
Brittany Alvarado, previously a video and creative manager for the Wave, wrote in a July 3 social media post that the treatment she and her co-workers endured under Ellis "has been nothing short of life-altering and devastating to our mental health."