Sophia Smith scored in extra time and the United States earned a spot in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics with a 1-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday.
Speaking after the game, Smith said the win “means absolutely everything.”
The Americans, undefeated in France under new coach Emma Hayes, will be vying for their fifth gold medal in their sixth appearance in the Olympic women’s soccer final.
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The last time Team USA made it to the Olympic finals was at the London Games in 2012.
“I’m so proud of us for finding a way in these last few games to get the win,” Smith said of her teammates pathway to victory.
Germany put up a fight all the way to the end, but goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher helped the United States keep its lead, blocking a last minute goal attempt by their opponents.
The United States will play the winner of Tuesday’s later game between Brazil and Spain on Saturday, August 10 in Paris. Germany will play in the bronze medal match on Friday at Lyon.
The gold medal match coincidentally lines up with Smith’s 24th birthday.
Smith broke the scoreless stalemate five minutes into extra time, out maneuvering defender Felicitas Rauch and German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
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After netting her third goal of the tournament, Smith fell to the ground in celebration and joined in an embrace with teammate Mallory Swanson.
The United States had defeated Germany 4-1 in the group stage earlier in the tournament.