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ToggleWomen's Football Olympic tournament - Finals Results
The gold medal match
The United States secured a record-extending fifth Olympic gold medal in women’s football with a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the final at Parc des Princes on Saturday, thanks to a decisive goal by Mallory Swanson (26). After a scoreless first half, Swanson broke the deadlock 12 minutes into the second half, delivering the U.S. their first Olympic title since London 2012 and capping off a flawless tournament run.
Brazil threatened early on, nearly finding the back of the net when Gabi Portilho forced a superb save from Alyssa Naeher just before halftime. Naeher came up big again in injury time, making a crucial stop to deny Adriana’s point-blank header.
Brazilian legend Marta, returning after serving a two-match suspension for a red card, entered the match as a substitute just past the hour mark. However, she struggled to make a significant impact as Brazil fell to the United States in an Olympic final for the third time. USA coach Emma Hayes achieved remarkable success, clinching the Olympic title just two months after taking the helm.
The bronze medal match
Germany’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger (33) delivered a match-winning performance, saving a last-minute penalty from Alexia Putellas (30), to secure a 1-0 victory over World Cup holders Spain and clinch the bronze medal in the Olympic women’s football tournament on Friday.
Giulia Gwinn had given Germany the lead with a 65th-minute penalty in Lyon, but Spain was handed a golden opportunity to push the match into extra time when they won a penalty deep into injury time. However, former Ballon d’Or winner Putellas saw her spot-kick saved by the heroic Berger, leaving Spain without a medal in their Olympic debut.
Berger, who had already been the star in Germany’s quarter-final shootout win against reigning champions Canada by saving two penalties and converting the decisive kick herself, once again proved pivotal.
This marks the fourth time Germany has claimed the Olympic women’s football bronze, following successes in 2000, 2004, and 2008. They previously won the gold medal in 2016, and coach Horst Hrubesch was also at the helm when the men’s team secured silver at Rio 2016.
For Spain, the defeat was a disappointing conclusion to their Olympic debut, where they had arrived as one of the favorites after their World Cup triumph just a year ago.
Missed the results from the rounds before?
If you’ve missed the results from round 1, click here to read a summary of each game. Looking for the results of round 2, then make sure to click here, and for round 3, click here. Missed the Quarter final matches, click here. And missed the semi-final results, click here.
Medal table
- USA
- Brazil
- Germany
- Spain