The US women’s soccer team will compete for gold in a highly anticipated meeting with Brazil. The final showdown is scheduled to take place at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris at 11:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, August 10.
The last time the US women’s team took home gold was on 2012 London Games. If the Brazilians emerge victorious, it will be their first gold medal in the sport.
Germany won the women’s final in 2016 in Rio and Canada took home gold in 2021 in Tokyo.
To reach this moment, both finalist teams had to weave their way through a competitive field of rivals. A total of twelve nations qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The USA and Brazil rose to the top of the pack after beating opponents Germany and Spain respectively in semi-final matches earlier this week.
The Americans won 1-0 on Tuesday in a tough battle with Germany. Forward player Sophia Smith scored the winning goal in the first 15-minute half of overtime off an assist from teammate Mallory Swanson.
“I’m so proud of us for finding a way in the last few games to win,” Smith said after Tuesday’s game. Smith turns 24 on August 10, the day of the gold medal game.
Brazil had their work cut out for them going into Tuesday’s semifinal against Spain, who boasted one undefeated record at the summer games. Still, the South American side managed to defy the odds as they beat the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions 4-2.
A Saturday win for Brazil would be a welcome final note to the career of player Marta da Silva, known internationally as Marta, who announced early this year that she is retiring after this year’s games. The 38-year-old first stepped onto the Olympic turf 20 years ago at the 2004 Games in Athens.
Marta had to sit out her team’s quarter and semi-final matches after her received a red card during an Olympic group final match against Spainthe Associated Press reported. The Brazilian soccer star will reunite with her teammates at the Parc des Princes on Saturday for a shot at gold before making a final farewell to the Olympic stage.