Olympic Soccer Bracket 2024: USWNT vs. Brazil Women's Gold Medal Match Preview

For the first time since 2012, the United States women's national team will be playing for an Olympic gold medal after defeating Germany 1-0 in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, and it will be facing a familiar foe.

In the final on Saturday, the USWNT will face longtime rival Brazil, which trounced reigning World Cup winners Spain 4-2 in Tuesday's other semifinal.

The Americans will be surely motivated to return to the top of the podium for the first time since the London Games 12 years ago, but it won't be easy.

After losing 2-0 to Spain in a group-stage match, Brazil bounced back in epic fashion. An own goal got the scoring started in the sixth minute for Brazil, and Gabi Portilho put in another goal right before halftime to give the team a 2-0 lead. Adriana buried the dagger in the 71st minute, and Kerolin added an insurance goal in stoppage time after Salma Paralluelo got Spain on the board in the 85th minute.

The USWNT has had recent success against Brazil, including a 1-0 win in the 2024 Concacaf Gold Cup final. Brazil will be motivated to avenge that loss and to make matters more interesting, the legendary Marta will be returning from her two-game ban in the Olympic final and will be looking to end her storied career in a big way.

Still, the USWNT should enter the match with all the confidence in the world, especially after showing its resilience once again in Tuesday's match against Germany.

After both teams went scoreless during regulation, extra time was needed to determine the winner. Sophia Smith found the back of the net after a beautiful through ball from Mallory Swanson that allowed her to float the ball over Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger's head.

The goal occurred less than five minutes into extra time, creating a nerve-racking overtime period. Smith tried to put in a second goal in the 104th minute, but Berger was there for the save. Germany had a corner near the end of the first half of overtime but failed to convert.

Germany remained on the attack in the final 15 minutes. Janina Minge had a shot in the box in the 114th minute that was off-target. Germany received a free kick in the 118th minute that made the Americans sweat, but star goalie Alyssa Naeher saved the header attempt by Laura Freigang to preserve the lead.

USWNT also needed an extra-time goal to earn a spot in the semifinals, as Trinity Rodman's strike helped the team advance past Japan on Saturday. It's the first time since 2004 that the USWNT played consecutive extra-time matches in Olympics fixtures.

Saturday's final between the USWNT and Brazil will undoubtedly be another epic clash between the longtime rivals that will have fans hyped to watch.