Watch: Sophia Smith saves USWNT with extra-time winner

Team USA's Sophia Smith. Sports Press Photo

Watch: Sophia Smith saves USWNT's Olympic gold hopes with extra-time winner

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Aug 6, 2024 6:06 PM ET

The U.S. women's national team appeared to be stumped by Germany's stout defense for all 90 minutes of regulation Tuesday afternoon, needing extra time to decide a winner in the Olympic semifinal match.

Just five minutes into the first extra period, Sophia Smith found a ball wired to her from teammate Mallory Swanson just inside the penalty area.

Smith outran her defender and chipped the ball over the German goalkeeper into the net for the decisive goal.

SOPHIA SMITH STRIKES IN EXTRA TIME FOR THE USA. #ParisOlympics | USA Network and Peacock pic.twitter.com/XyzQZQTEEG
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2024

The 1-0 lead was all Team USA needed to advance to the Olympic gold-medal match — the American's first appearance since the 2012 London Games.

Smith's score was her third of the tournament, all coming against the Germans.

It was also the 11th time the U.S. women had gone to extra time in an Olympic match all-time and the second such instance where they needed the additional periods in back-to-back matches.

Team USA is now guaranteed its seventh Olympic medal all-time, facing Brazil for the gold in Saturday's final.

The American women have beaten Brazil in both of their previous meetings at an Olympic gold-medal match (2004, 2008).

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

More must-reads: