The U.S. women’s national team beat Germany in the soccer semifinal on Tuesday at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The United States won 1-0 in overtime with a goal from Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith finally put a number on the scoreboard with a beautiful goal against Germany five minutes into overtime.
Germany, which lost to the U.S. team 4-1 in the group stage, played a solid defensive game that repeatedly thwarted the U.S. offense.
German defender out with injury
German defender Marina Hegering was substituted in the 78th minute by Biabiane Schulze Solano after suffering an injury on the pitch.
Hegering has had a spectacular game so far against the Americans, with her aggressive attacks resulting in a yellow card in the first half.
Four attempts at goal in just three minutes (two by Lindsay Horan, one by Trinity Rodman and one by Sophia Smith) failed to add up to anything.
Lynn Williams replaces Rose Lavelle
Lynn Williams was replaced by midfielder Rose Lavelle early in the second half.
There was a brief moment when it looked like Williams might come on for Trinity Rodman after the forward fell behind following a tough challenge from the German squad.
“Are you OK?” trainer Emma Hayes was heard yelling as Rodman was checked.
But Rodman returned to his heroics and Williams came in for Lavelle as planned.
The first half was full of fouls but without goals.
Germany came into the semifinal prepared to fight, and these women fought back, committing 11 fouls against the U.S. team in the first 45 minutes.
That rough defense made it difficult for the U.S. women’s national team to sustain the controlled, dominant offense that has already become a hallmark of Emma Hayes’ new era as an Olympic coach.
The US team had multiple scoring opportunities, including a few free throws, but nothing came of it against this German team.
Most fans know the names Rose Lavelle, Lindsay Horan and Crystal Dunn as key members of the national team’s winning roster at the 2019 World Cup. Lavelle and Horan in particular have created a few shooting opportunities, though none of them have found their way into the back of the net.