A tight meeting with Germany in Lyon tonight would see the USA reign victorious on the Olympic stage once again, as they knocked out Die Nationalelf to progress into the tournament’s final.

Sophia Smith’s wondrous goal brought about by her indomitable partnership with Mallory Swanson was the difference, as Germany were without Lea Schüller and Alexandra Popp but held onto a clean sheet beyond normal time.

The Lineups

USA: Naeher; Fox, Girma, Davidson, Dunn, Coffey, Lavelle, Horan, Rodman, Smith, Swanson

GER: Berger; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch, Brand, Lohmann, Minge, Bühl, Nüsken, Anyomi

The Action

Emma Hayes’ USA started the semi-final on the front foot. Within just the opening ten minutes, they would accumulate three shots at goal. All of these, however, would be directed straight at German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and stopped with ease. The side led by Lindsey Horan asserted their dominance with immediate effect, making Die Nationalelf work hard to gain possession, and even harder to keep it.

Horst Hrubesch’s side had clearly improved upon their previous meeting with the USA, holding more of the ball and looking more energised with it than they did in their last encounter. The Germans grew into the game and began looking as dangerous in attack as their opposition, but both teams would struggle to create any end product as the half-an-hour mark approached.

Diligence was required at the back for both sides as the first-half sped by. A chance for the USA was brilliantly defended by the experienced centre-back Marina Hegering, who confidently gained possession and took a touch inside the box to dodge Mallory Swanson. Naomi Girma, too, would have to intervene with an interception before Nicole Anyomi could come too close to providing Germany with the opener.

With Trinity Rodman an effervescent attacking threat, Germany’s defenders would remain on high alert. Die Nationalelf would see further chances of their own almost as soon as the second half commenced. An admirable long-range attempt by a determined Giulia Gwinn would fall narrowly on the wrong side of the post, to the relief of Alyssa Naeher.

With the biggest chance of the game yet arriving for the USA in the 61st minute, Swanson would take her run just too far wide of goal and find only the side netting. Nearly twenty minutes later, Hayes’ side would come close once again. This time, it was Berger who denied the attempt, gathering the shot which came in the form of a Lindsey Horan header.

The USA’s trio of clinical forwards in Swanson, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith, were uncharacteristically wasteful at the face of goal. Fast breaks with the potential of creating real opportunities sometimes saw the ball released, or struck too early. Smith would have an excellently-finished effort ruled out by the off-side flag, as both sides pushed to open the scoring as the end of the allocated 90 minutes loomed close.

Smith finally gave the USA their long-awaited goal just three minutes into extra time. 90 minutes were not enough to separate the two sides, but a brilliant finish after Swanson picked out Smith on the right saw the forward send the ball beyond Berger, putting Hayes and her invigorated squad ahead in the 95th minute.

No further goals would be found, as the USA embraced their status as either gold or silver medallists when the final whistle rung out.

Hayes will now prepare her side to face the winner of the other semi-final, Spain and Brazil its contenders, whilst Germany will face the losing side to battle it out for the bronze medal.