It might have been one of the longest days of consecutive football. With the games starting at 15:00 / 17:00 / 19:00 & 21:00, the schedule was back to back, with almost guaranteed overlapping. In the end it was the USA, Spain, Germany & Brazil who managed to get throught to the semi-finals. Read below for a short summary of each of the games!
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. All games will be played on Saturday the 3rd of August. Note: all the times below are Central European Time (or Paris local time).
USA – Japan
Spain – Colombia
World champion Spain advanced to the semifinals of the Olympic women’s soccer tournament by overcoming a 2-0 deficit and defeating Colombia in a penalty shootout on Saturday. Spain won the shootout 4-2 at Stade de Lyon, with Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati scoring the decisive penalty.
Colombia appeared poised to reach the semifinals after taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Mayra Ramirez and Leicy Santos. Ramirez gave Colombia the lead in the 12th minute, racing past Irene Paredes and finishing clinically. Santos added a second goal in the 52nd minute with a spinning, curling shot, setting the stage for what seemed like an Olympic upset.
However, Jenni Hermoso sparked Spain’s comeback with a goal in the 79th minute, and Paredes forced extra time with a dramatic equalizer in the seventh minute of stoppage time. In the penalty shootout, Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll saved a weak penalty from Catalina Usme, while Liana Salazar missed Colombia’s third spot kick by sending it over the bar.
Spain converted all four of their penalties, with Bonmati securing the victory. The win advances Spain to the semifinals, where they will face either France or Brazil in Marseille on Tuesday. This marks Spain’s first appearance in the Olympics, and the team has a chance to achieve a historic double after winning the Women’s World Cup in Australia last year.
Canada – Germany
The Canadian women’s soccer team’s memorable run at the Paris Olympics ended on Saturday with a quarterfinal loss to Germany at Stade de Marseille. Germany advanced to the semifinals by winning 4-2 on penalty kicks after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time, ensuring a new Olympic champion will be crowned. Canada, the gold medalists from the Tokyo Games in 2021 and bronze medalists in Rio 2016 and London 2012, couldn’t overcome Germany’s defense. German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was pivotal, scoring the winning penalty and stopping attempts from Adriana Leon and Ashley Lawrence, while Quinn and Janine Beckie successfully scored against her. Germany will face the United States on Tuesday in Lyon.
France – Brazil
Gabi Portilho propelled Brazil into the semifinals of the Olympic women’s soccer tournament with a crucial 1-0 victory over France on Saturday. In the 82nd minute, Portilho broke through the French defense and expertly shot past goalkeeper Constance Picaud, eliminating the host nation at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. France failed to capitalize on several opportunities, including a 16th-minute penalty by Sakina Karchaoui, which was saved by Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena. Griedge Mbock Bathy also came close, heading the ball against the bar from a corner in the 39th minute. Portilho’s goal was Brazil’s first shot on target, and she nearly added another, hitting the post late in the game. Brazil, a two-time silver medalist from Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, advanced to the quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed teams despite losing two of its three group games. One of those losses was a 2-0 defeat to Spain in their final Group C match, during which Marta received a red card. The 38-year-old star, who has announced this will be her last major tournament with the national team, was in tears as she watched her teammates celebrate the victory on the field.
