Naomi Girma’s football career began in the community, now she is an Olympian
Naomi Girma will make her Olympic football debut in Paris, but her path to becoming an Olympian began years earlier at Ethiopian community football games.
The United States women’s national soccer team is playing for a gold medal for the first time since the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Sophia Smith scored the only goal in the 95th minute of the U.S. women’s 1-0 win over Germany in overtime on Tuesday in the first semifinal of the women’s soccer season at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The U.S. will play Brazil in the gold medal match on Saturday, while Spain will be the Germans’ opponent in the bronze medal match.
OLYMPIC GAMES 2024 IN PARIS: Find all of USA TODAY’s coverage here
Brazil took an early lead in the semifinals thanks to an error by Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll. A missed shot from a clear shot rebounded off Spanish defender and captain Irene Paredes and into the net, creating an own goal. Brazilian striker Gabi Portilho scored a second goal at the end of the first half. Brazil claimed a 4-2 victory en route to the final.
After missing the gold medal match at the last two Summer Olympics, here’s how the U.S. women’s national team got here and what lies ahead:
Olympics 2024: Women’s Olympic football teams for Paris
Group A
| Rank | team | Record | Points | qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | France | 2-0-1 | 6 | Knockout phase |
| 2. | Canada | 3-0-0 | 3* | Knockout phase |
| 3. | Colombia | 1-0-2 | 3 | Knockout phase |
| 4. | New Zealand | 0-0-3 | 0 |
Group B
| Rank | team | Record | Points | qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | US Women’s National Team | 3-0-0 | 9 | Knockout phase |
| 2. | Germany | 2-0-1 | 6 | Knockout phase |
| 3. | Australia | 1-0-2 | 3 | |
| 4. | Zambia | 0-0-3 | 0 |
Group C
| Rank | team | Record | Points | qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Spain | 3-0-0 | 9 | Knockout phase |
| 2. | Japan | 2-0-1 | 6 | Knockout phase |
| 3. | Brazil | 1-0-2 | 3 | Knockout phase |
| 4. | Nigeria | 0-0-3 | 0 |
USWNT: Sophia Smith’s goal puts USA in Olympic gold medal game
Olympia 2024: Schedule of the knockout rounds in women’s football
All times ET.
Saturday, August 3
- US 1:0 Japan F/AET
- Spain 2:2 (4:2) Colombia F/PK
- Germany 0:0 (4:2) Canada F/PK
- Brazil 1:0 France F
Tuesday, August 6
- Semifinal #1: US 1:0 Germany F
- Semi-final #2: Spain 2-4 Brazil F
OLYMPIC GAMES FOOTBALL: Spain vs Brazil latest: Score, How to stream the Olympic women’s soccer semi-final
Olympic Games 2024: Schedule for the medal rounds in women’s football
All times ET.
Friday, August 9
- Bronze medal match: Germany vs. Spain, 9 a.m. | USA Network; Telemundo; Peacock; NBCOlympics.com
Saturday, August 10
- Gold medal match: USA vs. Brazil, 11 a.m. | USA Network; Telemundo; Peacock; NBCOlympics.com.
2024 Olympic Games in Paris: How to watch the Summer Games on TV and streaming
Date: 24 July – 11 August
TV: Games will be broadcast on NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, CNBC and Golf Channel
Streaming: Peacock; NBCOlympics.com; fuboTV
Stream the 2024 Paris Olympics with a Peacock subscription
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