The U.S. women’s national team recorded their second victory of the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeating European powerhouse Germany in the second match day of Group B on Sunday.
After an opening 3-0 win against Zambia last Thursday, the USWNT made it clear that they want no issues when it comes down to qualifying to the next round, with the American attacking trio of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith all having goal contributions once again.
The match was full of action from the start as Smith finished a beautiful build-up to score her first-ever goal at the Summer Olympics. One-two between Rodman and Rose Lavelle for an easy square to Sophia.
¿QUIÉN MÁS? ¡SOPHIA SMITH!
Gran jugada de parte de Estados Unidos y ya cayó el primero del partido ⚽️✅Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/I9TbIygdIR
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/qAcmmR7xk6#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics #USWNT pic.twitter.com/oSV7nhetDh— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 28, 2024
The Germans were not affected by conceding early, however, as they were to score just 10 minutes later.
¡SE EMPATÓ EL PARTIDO!
Giulia Gwinn marca de fuera del área y empareja el encuentroPeacock ➡️ https://t.co/I9TbIyfFTj
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/qAcmmR6Zuy#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics #USWNT pic.twitter.com/XqTEk5Dg6y— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 28, 2024
And to everyone’s surprise, the USWNT did the same.
Four minutes post-equalizer, a shot from outside the box from Smith, left loose by Germany goalkeeper Ann Katrin Berger, left Swanson a clear chance at goal to return the lead to the United States.
¡Y OTRA VEZ SE PONEN ARRIBA!
Mallory Swanson aprovecha un rechace y la manda al fondo de las redes ⚽️Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/I9TbIygdIR
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/qAcmmR7xk6#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics #USWNT pic.twitter.com/f069BuA5KQ— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 28, 2024
A killer in the box.
Minutes before the half, another shot from Smith from far, redirected by a deflection, sent the ball into the upper 90 and into the post prior to hitting the net. It was 3-1 for the Stars and Stripes and a double for Smith.
¡DOBLETE DE SOPHIA SMITH! 2️⃣
Dispara de fuera del área y el desvío le ayuda para que el balón se meta a la portería ⚽️Peacock ➡️ https://t.co/I9TbIygdIR
Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/qAcmmR7xk6#OlimpicosTelemundo #ParisOlympics #USWNT pic.twitter.com/oqFPrCBoRj— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 28, 2024
Substitute Lynn Williams, who had taken the pitch just four minutes prior after replacing Smith, was to put the cherry-on-top to the United States' masterclass by scoring the fourth and last goal for the USWNT.
Lynn Williams scores four minutes after subbing on ⚡
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 28, 2024
The USWNT’s perfect record in the current Olympic tournament sends the squad into the last match day of the group stage as group leaders with six points and qualified to the next round.
They will face Australia (three points) on Wednesday to determine their placement ahead of the tournament quarterfinal stage. Germany (three points) will face last-placed Zambia (zero points).
