Sophia Smith scored in extra time and the United States clinched a spot in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics with a 1-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday.
After the game, Smith said the win “means absolutely everything.”
The Americans, undefeated in France under new coach Emma Hayes, will be vying for their fifth gold medal in their sixth appearance in the women’s Olympic soccer final.
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The last time Team USA made it to the Olympic final was at the 2012 London Games.
“I’m so proud of us for finding a way in the last few games to win,” Smith said of his teammates’ road to victory.
Germany battled all the way to the end, but goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher helped the US maintain its lead, blocking a last-minute goal attempt by their opponents.
The USA will play the winner of Tuesday’s later game between Brazil and Spain on Saturday, August 10 in Paris. Germany will play the bronze medal match on Friday in Lyon.
The golden match coincidentally coincides with Smith’s 24th birthday.
Smith broke the scoreless deadlock five minutes into extra time, out maneuvering defender Felicitas Rauch and German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
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After scoring her third goal of the tournament, Smith fell to the ground in celebration and joined in an embrace with teammate Mallory Swanson.
The USA had defeated Germany 4-1 in the group stage earlier in the tournament.
