Germany to face U.S., Spain takes on Brazil in Olympic women's soccer semifinals
The Associated Press | Posted: August 3, 2024 5:22 PM | Last Updated: August 3
Spain survives Colombia scare to advance on penalties, Brazil upsets host France
Germany will face the United States in the semifinals of the Olympic women's football tournament, while Spain will take on Brazil after a frenetic day of quarterfinal action marked by late goals and plenty of shootout drama on Saturday.
Gabi Portilho fired Brazil into the semifinals of the Olympic women's soccer tournament with a 1-0 win over France.
Portilho raced through on goal in the 82nd minute and swept a shot past France goalkeeper Constance Picaud to eliminate the host nation at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
Celebrating wildly in the crowd was Brazil great Marta, who was suspended from the quarterfinals match, but will be available again for the semifinals against world champion Spain in Marseille on Tuesday.
France paid the price for failing to capitalize on its chances in the first half, with Sakina Karchaoui seeing a 16th-minute penalty saved by Brazil goalkeeper Lorena.
Griedge Mbock Bathy then headed against the bar from a corner in the 39th.
Portilho's goal was Brazil's first shot on target and she then hit the post late on.
Brazil — a two-time silver medalist from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 — had advanced to the quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed teams after losing two of its three group games.
One of those was against Spain — losing 2-0 in its final Group C match, when Marta was red-carded. The 38-year-old star has said this will be her last major tournament with the national women's soccer team and she was in tears by the end after watching her teammates celebrate on the field.
Brazil's victory was marred, however, by an injury to defender Rafaelle, who was taken off by stretcher in the second half and later seen using a crutch.
U.S. edges Japan in extra time
Trinity Rodman scored in extra time and the United States advanced to the women's soccer semifinals at the Olympics with a 1-0 victory over Japan on Saturday.
The United States will face the winner of the later match between Germany and Canada in Marseille. The U.S. beat Germany 4-1 in the group stage.
The U.S. went into the knockout match undefeated and outscoring opponents 9-2 at the Paris Games under new coach Emma Hayes but Japan foiled the Americans with steady defence.
Rodman's goal to the top of the far post came as time in stoppage time in the first extra period. She fell to the field as she was embraced by her teammates in celebration.
It was Rodman's third goal of the tournament. She nearly scored again in the second extra period.
Spain beats Colombia on penalties
World champion Spain fought back from 2-0 down and advanced to the semifinals of the Olympic women's soccer tournament by beating Colombia in a penalty shootout on Saturday.
Spain won 4-2 in the shootout at Stade de Lyon, with Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati scoring the decisive spot kick.
Catalina Usme and Liana Salazar failed to score from the spot for Colombia, which had looked set to advance to the last four after taking a 2-0 lead through Mayra Ramirez and Leicy Santos.
Jenni Hermoso had sparked Spain's second-half fightback and Irene Paredes forced the game to extra time with an equalizer in the seventh minute minute stoppage time.