Sophia Smith scored the winning goal in extra time as the United States defeated Germany 1-0 on Tuesday, advancing to the Paris Olympics women’s football final.
Smith broke the deadlock in a close-fought but usually lackluster semi-final in Lyon, blasting past Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger five minutes into extra time.
The USA, a record four-time gold medalist, were also grateful to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for a critical late stop from Laura Freigang, and will now go to the French capital for the final on Saturday.
“I saw a little opening of net and I thought I’ve just got to put it there. It was a good feeling,” Smith said of her goal.
“I had a few other chances in this game that I should have put away but sometimes one is all it takes.”
Germany, which won gold in 2016, can yet earn a bronze medal if they remain in Lyon for the third-place playoff on Friday.
The Germans had been the more proficient side in normal time, but both sides’ final third quality was severely lacking on a sweltering hot day.
Emma Hayes’ USA team played at a far lower level than when they defeated Germany 4-1 in the group stage in Marseille.
However, once again, the quality of their onslaught was the difference.
“There were lots of things I didn’t like in the game. I tried every situation to try to influence and affect that, but it’s not about that. It’s about heart and head,” Hayes said.
“You have to dig something out. Our group want to create new history for themselves. They did enough to get us in the final, and that is just the next step.”
Naeher heroics
In Saturday’s quarter-final win over Japan, winger Trinity Rodman scored the game’s only goal in overtime.
This time, Smith was the match winner, shooting past Berger after being set up by a Mallory Swanson through pass.
The Colorado-born forward, who turns 24 on the day of the final, scored her third goal of the tournament, having previously scored twice against Germany in the group stage.
In contrast to their cutting edge, Germany was given a significant double blow ahead of the game when unwell captain Alexandra Popp and injured Lea Schueller, their squad’s two most prolific and experienced goal scorers, were ruled out.
The Americans had several chances throughout the 90-minute match, including a late Lindsey Horan header that Berger saved.
Swanson even had the ball in the net, but she was clearly offside, and the flag was raised early.
However, they made it through in extra time, and Smith was only denied a second goal by a good Berger stop.
There was drama right at the end, with Naeher save at close range to prevent Freigang an equaliser before Smith nearly added a second.
At London 2012, the United States won the last of their four gold medals in women’s football. They won bronze three years ago in Tokyo and silver medals in 2000.
Germany’s coach, Horst Hrubesch, led the men’s team to silver in Rio in 2016, and now hopes to leave with Olympic bronze for the fourth time.