Although a USA-Germany women's football match is a great sporting attraction, today was not the best spectacle in Lyon. Two teams with a lot of potential, but were affected by the heat.

The last few minutes were more about holding on than anything else. Neither team wanted to make a mistake that would cost them defeat. Then what seemed clear happened, and that is that the game went into extra time.

It was five minutes in when the goal of the match arrived. Sophia Smith saw the option of looking for space on the run, Mallory Swanson saw her and got the ball to her and she was able to beat German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

THE BEST AMERICAN TRIO SINCE DESTINY’S CHILD pic.twitter.com/CPxl3ALuRv

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 6, 2024

Germany looked for the equaliser. They dominated the pitch and the USA held on. With less than two minutes to go, US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a sensational save with her leg to prevent an equaliser and a possible penalty shoot-out. The 1-0 scoreline remained on the scoreboard.

The two teams had already met in the group stage. This time the USA won again, but without the sparkle of that match. They won 4-1 and Sophia Smith, the scorer of the semi-final goal, scored twice that day.

Brazil, far superior to Spain

This match also took place in the first round. Brazil's most celebrated player Marta, voted FIFA Women's Player of the Year five years in a row (2006-2010) was sent off in the first half and Spain won 2-0.

The second semi-final did not have the same excitement as the first. And the result between these two teams was very different... Six minutes into the game, Irene Paredes scored an own goal to put the Brazilians ahead. Although they tried to even things up, Spain was unable to get into the game.

In stoppage time of the first half, Gabi Portilho took advantage of a pass from Yasmin to score the second goal and give the Brazilians a reassuring result to go to the break.

In the 72nd minute, Adriana made it 3-0 and sealed the game. The assist came from Portilho. The world champions were dreaming of the Olympic final, but it was not to be. But they kept trying. Salma Paralluelo scored in the 85th minute, but there was no time left for a comeback. Brazil scored the fourth goal in the 91st minute, thanks to Kerolin. Paralluelo closed the game with a 4-2 final score.

Spain and Germany will play for bronze on Friday at 15:00 local time in Lyon. On Saturday, the final between the USA and Brazil will be played at 17:00 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

In men's football, the bronze medal match will be played on Thursday at 17:00 in Nantes between Egypt and Morocco, with the grand final on Friday at 18:00 at the Parc des Princes between France and Spain.