Olympics 2024: The USWNT and Brazil Advance to the Gold Medal Match – Semifinals Recap and Highlights

Semifinals bracket

Rematches in the knockout stage of a tournament rarely play out the same way as the earlier group stage match. The United States Women’s National Team understands that axiom all too well, as they had faced a group stage opponent in a knockout or medal match five previous times at the Olympics, losing only once (2000, versus Norway in the gold medal match).

For the USA, this time around, there would be no dominant victory against their group stage opponent, Germany. But, there would be a victory, thanks to an extra-time heroine, just as there was in the quarterfinal match against Japan.

Reigning Women’s World Cup champions Spain, who were debutantes at this year’s Summer Olympics, got a harsh lesson in that reality when a makeshift and spirited Brazil, buoyed by an early own goal, got their second straight upset win.

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USWNT: The USA Will Host Argentina on Wednesday, October 30th

Today, U.S. Soccer announced that the United States Women’s National Team will play Argentina in Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday, October 30th.

The friendly match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. eastern time and will air live on three cable channels, TNT and truTV (both English-language) and Universo (Spanish-language). The match will also stream live on Max (English) and Peacock (Spanish).

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2024 Olympics: TV and Streaming Schedule for the Semifinals and Medal Matches

Four teams remain in the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics: The four-time gold medalists United States Women’s National Team; Germany, who won gold in 2016; two-time silver medalists Brazil; and semifinals debutante Spain.

Tuesday, August 6th

  • 12:00 p.m. EDT: USWNT vs. Germany (TV: USA/Telemundo)
  • 3:00 p.m. EDT: Brazil vs. Spain (TV: E!/Universo)

Friday, August 9th

  • 9:00 a.m. EDT: Bronze Medal Match (TV: USA/Telemundo)

Saturday, August 10th

  • 11:00 a.m. EDT: Gold Medal Match (TV: USA/Telemundo)

For those without cable, satellite, or other multichannel provider, all four matches can be streamed using NBC’s Peacock app (subscription required).

For more information about streaming, see Olympics 2024: Match Schedule with TV and Streaming Details (USA).

Olympics 2024: Why Trinity Rodman’s Goal versus Japan Was Not Offside

In the era of “VAR”, a goal is not a goal until the video assistant referee has their say. As NWSL fans are well aware, this can sometimes mean agonizing waits of multiple minutes for a goal to be officially affirmed or overturned by the center referee. However, this was not the case when the United States Women’s National Team’s Trinity Rodman curled her left-footed shot into the far upper corner of Japan’s goalmouth in the first quarterfinal of the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. That goal was conclusively affirmed within 80 seconds of the ball hitting the net.

The main reason why there was not too long of a wait, especially one involving the center referee jogging over to a video review monitor, is that the soccer stadiums at this year’s Olympics all have a specialized computerized system that helps the video assistant referee and her crew analyze potential offside situations. On the women’s side, this system was first used at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The other two main factors involved are the offside rule, itself, as well as how potential offside situations are handled by the refereeing crew.

Continue reading “Olympics 2024: Why Trinity Rodman’s Goal versus Japan Was Not Offside”

Olympics 2024: Quarterfinals Recaps and Highlights

Knockout bracket (with quarterfinal results) for the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Saturday’s quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics did not lack drama:

  • The USWNT needed a 105th minute goal from Trinity Rodman to defeat Japan’s stifling defense.
  • Colombia was minutes away from eliminating reigning Women’s World Cup champions Spain, but a late stoppage time goal by Irene Paredes, followed by a strong penalty shootout performance, saw Spain advance.
  • Canada and Germany went scoreless for 120 minutes, but Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero Germany needed during the penalty shootout as she stopped two kicks and made the decisive kick to see the 2016 gold medalists through.
  • France had their chances against Brazil, including a missed penalty kick by Sakina Karchaoui, but Gabi Portilho made the most of hers, sending Brazil through to their sixth Olympic semifinal.
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2024 Olympics: Final Group Standings and Quarterfinal Match-Ups

Knockout bracket for the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics

On Saturday, August 3rd, the eight remaining teams in the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be reduced to the four medal contenders once that day’s quarterfinals concludes.

Among the teams still standing are the United States Women’s National Team, who topped their group for only the second time at the Olympics, and will face off against Japan for the fourth time in an Olympics knockout match. Spain, the reigning Women’s World Cup champions, are looking to win their first Olympic gold medal. Meanwhile, the current gold medal holders, Canada, despite their 6 point deduction, made it through to knockout phase and will face the 2016 gold medalists, Germany. Also in the hunt are both South American sides: Brazil, who will be without Marta due to a red card suspension, and Colombia, who are hoping to advance to their first Olympic semifinal. Host France, buoyed by the goal-scoring of Marie-Antoinette Katoto, are still looking to win their first major championship.

In the United States, the only way to watch the quarterfinal matches live with English-language commentary is via streaming, either through Peacock (via subscription) or, if one has a multichannel service provider, then the NBC Sports app or NBCOlympics.com. However, all four quarterfinal matches will air live on Telemundo and Universo.

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2024 Olympics: Match Day 3 Recap and Video Highlights

The final day of group play more-or-less went as expected, except for Marta earning a straight red for a reckless lunging kick that narrowly missed striking Spain’s Olga Carmona in the cheek.

France, thanks to Canada’s points deduction, the USA, and Spain all won their groups, while Canada, Germany, and Japan advanced as the runners-up in their respective groups. Colombia and Brazil advanced as the higher-ranked third-place teams. Australia, as the lowest third-ranked team, along with New Zealand, Zambia, and Nigeria were eliminated from the competition.

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USWNT: The USA Will Play England At Wembley in November

On Tuesday, U.S. Soccer and The F.A. announced that the United States Women’s National Team will faces the Lionesses of England on Saturday, November 30th, at Wembley Stadium in London.

The USWNT will also play one other team in Europe during the same FIFA window. Switzerland will not be that team as they are England’s second opponent in that window.

The USA’s match against England will kick-off at 12:20 pm Eastern time (5:20 pm London time).

U.S. Soccer Press Release: U.S. Women’s National Team Will Face England at Famed Wembley Stadium on November 30

The F.A. Press Release: Sarina Wiegman’s side will play four friendlies from October to December, including a EURO 2022 final rematch

2024 Olympics: Match Day 3 Advancement Scenarios

Going into the final six matches of the group stage in the women’s soccer tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics, only the United States Women’s National Team and Spain have secured a spot in the knock-out phase. Six slots have yet to be determined and none of the other ten teams have been mathematically eliminated.

Please note that the following analysis is contingent on Canada’s 6 point deduction being upheld. FIFA’s decision has been appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a ruling on the matter is expected on Wednesday, July 31st.

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2024 Olympics: Match Day 2 Recap and Video Highlights

The second day of group stage matches in the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics was one to remember:

  • The USWNT had their best performances against Germany ever at an Olympics, defeating the two-time Women’s World Cup champions 4:1.
  • Japan had a 2:1 comeback victory against Brazil, which was capped by an awe-inspiring long-distance chip by second-half sub Momoko Tanikawa.
  • Canada is still in the hunt for a knock-out slot thanks to their 2:1 come-from-behind victory over host France, with the game-winning goal scored by Vanessa Gilles 12 minutes deep into second-half stoppage time.
  • Oh, And Australia came from three goals down in the second half to defeat Zambia 6:5!
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