12up Logo

USWNT advances to Gold Medal Game after taking down Germany

Sophia Smith got the job done for the USA.

By Braulio Perez

Aug 3, 2024; Paris, France; Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita (1), Japan defender Saki Kumagai (4) and United States forward Sophia Smith (11) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Parc des Princes. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2024; Paris, France; Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita (1), Japan defender Saki Kumagai (4) and United States forward Sophia Smith (11) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Parc des Princes. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports / Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

For the second consecutive game, extra time was needed for the U.S. Women's National Team. And for the second consecutive game, the U.S. was able to come out on top. In the last showdown, Trinity Rodman was the hero.

This time around, though, it was Sophia Smith. In the first session of extra time, Smith received a pass, was able to fend off a defender and delivered a perfect shot into the back of the net:

Just like that, the USA is now moving on to the final, where they'll take on either Spain or Brazil with the gold medal on the line. After the rough showing in the 2023 Women's World Cup, the hope was that this team could bounce back in a big way in France this summer. They're one win away from doing just that.