World Cup holders Spain and four-time gold medalists the United States are on course for a showdown in the Olympic women’s soccer final, where the two heavyweight favorites will win on Tuesday.
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Aitan Bonmati’s Spain face surprise semi-finalists Brazil in Marseille, while a rejuvenated USA under new coach Emma Hayes face Germany in Lyon.
The Americans are a traditional powerhouse in women’s international soccer, and their performances at the Olympics suggest they are back as a force after a disappointing World Cup last year.
Hayes only took over in May and is still getting to know her team, but the USA dominated their group with three wins from three, overcoming an impressive Japan in extra time in the quarter-finals, with Trinity Rodman scoring the decisive goal.
They have already beaten Germany at the tournament and a 4-1 defeat in Marseille in the group stage suggests they should fancy their chances of winning the gold medal in Paris on Saturday.
“We’re so confident going into games. That comes from Emma. She has so much faith in us,” forward Sophia Smith said when asked about the influence of the new coach.
Hayes, 47, arrives after more than a decade of success at Chelsea and hopes to lead the USA to a record fifth gold since women’s soccer was introduced to the Olympics in 1996. They last won the title in 2012.
“I’ve coached Chelsea for 12 years. I won’t be disappointed by anything this team does because I respect football at the highest level and that tactically we got to the place we are so quickly is a real credit to the players,” the coach said of his new wards.
Germany were the gold medalists in 2016, the one Olympics in which the U.S. did not win a medal in women’s soccer.
Under Horst Hrubesch, they finished second in their group behind the USA before beating reigning Olympic champions Canada on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who played under Hayes at Chelsea, was the star against Canada, saving two penalties in the shootout before converting the winner herself.
“It was a very tough game, but when it came to the shootout I knew we had a great goalkeeper. It gave us confidence and she gave us the win,” defender Kathrin Hendrich told FIFA.com.
Spain are making their first appearance in Olympic women’s football, but their World Cup triumph last year showed they are currently the most accomplished side in the international game.
However, they were moments away from knocking Colombia out in the quarter-finals as they were 2-0 up before fighting back to equalize through the much-injured Irene Paredes.
They then won on penalties, Barcelona’s Bonmati converting the decisive spot kick.
“We don’t want to leave here. We want to keep our Olympic dream alive. This team has no limits,” young attacking star Salma Paralluelo told FIFA.com ahead of the match against Brazil.
The Brazilians have won Olympic silver twice, in 2004 and 2008, but were not expected to go as far at the Paris Games.
They made it through their group as best in third place despite a 2-0 defeat by Spain in a game marred by the sending off of legendary captain Marta.
Brazil then stunned hosts France in the round of 16, winning the quarter-final 1-0 without their suspended captain.
Marta received a two-match ban from FIFA for a red card in the final group game, meaning he will not be able to start against Spain. The Brazilian Football Confederation called the suspension “excessive” and said it would appeal for the 38-year-old to be allowed to play.
