ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images
The United States and Brazil will clash on Saturday in the Lyon Stadium in the gold medal match of the 2024 Olympic women’s soccer tournament.
Sophia Smith cashed the Americans’ ticket to the game by firing a goal in extra minutes to advance past Germany while Brazil bested Spain, 4-2, to earn their spot.
Ahead of the high-stakes finale, take a look at each team’s road to the gold medal game, and the current odds for the showdown, with this preview.
The Road to the Gold Medal Game
Brazil
- vs. Nigeria (won, 1-0, group stage)
- vs. Japan (lost, 2-1, group stage)
- vs. Spain (lost, 2-0, group stage)
- vs. France (won, 1-0, quarterfinals)
- vs. Spain (won, 4-2, semifinals)
United States
- vs. Zambia (won, 3-0, group stage)
- vs. Germany (won, 4-1, group stage)
- vs. Australia (won, 2-1, group stage)
- vs. Japan (won, 1-0, quarterfinals)
- vs. Germany (won, 1-0, semifinals)
Current Odds
Brazil (+370), Draw (+205), USA (-110)
Preview
The Americans have advanced through the tournament without suffering a defeat, despite a young roster and a first-time head coach in Emma Hayes. The team has proven it can run away with wins, as it did during a difficult group stage, and can win close battles against the best in the field, as in the knockout round.
The young stars and future faces of the national team have come through when most needed, with Trinity Rodman propelling the team into the semifinals with an extra-minutes goal to defeat Japan and Smith putting the dagger in Germany’s gold medal hopes.
They face a Brazilian squad that, on paper, they should be able to overcome.
As Canarinhas lost two of their group stage matches, but did not let those disappointing outcomes stick with them. They went on the offensive, scoring five goals to eliminate France and Spain, two of the tournament favorites, and advance to the final.
For the United States, winning the gold medal would return the USWNT to prominence, announce a new era of extraordinary competitors, and give coach Hayes her first international trophy.
For Brazil, it would be the first time the country has ever won gold at the Olympics and an opportunity to send the legendary Marta, who announced that this will be her final international tournament, out on the highest of notes.
The Americans hold the edge, having won 32 of 41 previous showdowns.
The Brazilians have proven resilient throughout these games, answering their two losses with victories in the games that mattered most. They are likely driven to win both Marta and their country their first gold medals.
The United States has been the best team in the tournament, though, and if they can resist turning the ball over and giving their opponents opportunities, it should be a golden return to form.
