USA, Germany, Brazil, and Spain Battle for Olympic Gold

In women's soccer, out of the 12 teams that started the journey, only four remain: the United States, Spain, Germany, and Brazil. And what semifinals we have ahead! The United States did not disappoint. The four-time Olympic champions secured their spot in the semifinals after an epic battle against Japan. It was a nail-biter, decided only in extra time, when Crystal Dunn and Trinity Rodman pulled off some pure magic to score the match's only goal.

Germany, on the other hand, had an equally dramatic journey. Facing off against Canada, the current Olympic champions, was no easy task. The match went all the way to penalties, where goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger shined like never before, saving two shots and even scoring the winning penalty. This is the second time these teams have met in the tournament. In the group stage, the Germans were trounced by a ruthless 4-1 from the Americans.

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And what can we say about Brazil? Oh, Brazil! In a game that bordered on epic, the Brazilians knocked out France, the host nation, with a stoppage-time goal by Gabi Portilho. It was a heart-stopping match, with 16 minutes of added time that felt like an eternity. The victory was even sweeter because Marta, the queen of soccer, was suspended. Now, she’s back, ready to lead her team against Spain in the semifinals. Marta, in her Olympic farewell, seems to be writing the script for a movie.

Spain, meanwhile, didn’t have it easy either. After being down 2-0 against Colombia, the Spaniards showed grit and determination, leveling the match and taking it to penalties. In the shootout, they displayed cool heads and skill, winning 4-2. This is a historic moment for Spain, as it’s their first Olympic participation, and they've already come this far. Now, they face Brazil, and the tension is palpable.

The duels on Tuesday, August 6, promise to be unforgettable. The United States and Germany clash in what already feels like an early final. Both teams have rich histories and a growing rivalry. The stats favor the Americans, with 24 wins in 36 encounters, but soccer is unpredictable, and anything can happen. Later on, Brazil and Spain take to the field. Marta, the eternal number 10, wants to cap her brilliant career with the long-dreamed-of Olympic gold. On the other side, the young and talented Spanish team aims to write their own story.

In the end, women's soccer at the Paris 2024 Olympics is gifting us with stories of overcoming, drama, and pure magic. Each of these teams deserves to be where they are, and the gold could go to any of them. The important thing is that we are witnessing historic moments!