Heavyweights square up in seismic semi-finals

Yet more thrilling Women’s Olympic Football Tournament drama awaits in Tuesday’s semi-final showdowns.

First up in Lyon, four-time gold medallists USA will lock horns with Rio 2016 winners Germany. The teams met in the group phase, with the Americans recording an emphatic 4-1 success. Will Emma Hayes’ team surge to victory again, or can Alexandra Popp and Co gain revenge and progress to Saturday’s final?

The late kick-off sees reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup™ champions Spain locks horns with Brazil. These sides also met in the opening round, with La Roja winning 2-0, but the South Americans were down to 10 players for the entire second half following Marta’s dismissal. Both teams have their sights fixed on a maiden Olympic gold – and it’s set up for a fascinating tussle in Marseille.

Women’s Olympic Football Tournament fixtures: Semi-finals
USA v Germany
Stade de Lyon
Kick-off: 18:00 (kick-offs in local time)

Facts and figures
USA are competing in a record seventh Women’s Olympic Football Tournament semi-final. They have reached the last four in all but one of this event’s eight editions, with the exception a quarter-final exit at Rio 2016.

The Americans have won five of their six previous semi-finals, and had been going for six-in-a-row when they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Canada at Tokyo 2020. No other team has competed in the gold medal match more than twice.

Germany have come out on top in just one of their previous four Olympic semi-finals. Their sole triumph came in their most recent appearance at this stage, when they beat Canada 2-0 en route to winning gold at Rio 2016.

The Germans have lost just one of their last seven matches in this tournament. Worryingly though, that defeat was that chastening 4-1 reverse to semi-final opponents USA in the Paris 2024 group stage.

Quotes
The environment that Emma [Hayes] is creating is just allowing everyone to flourish on the team and really feel comfortable in their own skin. I think we’re connecting better as a team. It’s just been really, really good.”
Korbin Albert, USA midfielder

“You saw in the group stage, they scored four goals against us and for us it’s like… We want to give it back [to them]! We are collectively strong – and if we take our chances, we’re dangerous for every opponent.”
Giulia Gwinn, Germany defender

Brazil v Spain
Stade de Marseille
Kick-off: 21:00

Facts and figures
This will be Brazil’s sixth Women’s Olympic Football Tournament semi-final. Only USA (seven) can lay claim to more last-four appearances.

Brazil have been successful in four of their past five Olympic knockout ties against European teams.

The last six goals scored by Spain at Paris 2024 have all come in the second half. Their only first-half effort so far in France came in in their opening match against Japan.

Spain have scored at least once in their last 22 international matches. The last time an opposing team kept La Roja out was on 31 July 2023, in a stunning 4-0 loss to Japan at the Women’s World Cup.

Quotes
“Everything we have gone through has taught us valuable lessons and helped us improve. The team is getting stronger and stronger mentally.”
Tamires, Brazil defender

“We have set objectives for ourselves and it’s like we’re doing the Tour de France, with stops on the way. This was the fourth stage, we have two more to go. We can and we will go for it.”
Montse Tome, Spain coach