USWNT vs Germany live updates (2024)

The USWNT have emphatically beaten Germany 4-1 in their second game of the Paris Olympics to take control of Group B.

Sophia Smith scored twice and Mallory Swanson got her third goal of these Olympics as the U.S. raced out to a 3-1 halftime lead, before Lynn Williams added their fourth late on. Defender Giulia Gwinn scored Germany's lone goal with a great strike from distance.

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Standings

1. United States: 6 points, +6 goal difference
2. Germany: 3 points, 0 goal difference
3. Australia: 3 points, -2 goal difference
4. Zambia: 0 points, -4 goal difference

Remaining fixtures on Wednesday

• Australia vs United States in Marseille
• Zambia vs Germany in Saint-Etienne

A win or draw for the USWNT against Australia would guarantee they finish in first place.

The lone negative for the USWNT today was Tierna Davidson's injury near the end of the first half.

After the game, Emma Hayes didn't have any real update on Davidson in the mixed zone, saying only that she took a knock and had to come out. I assume a real health update will come at training on Tuesday.

With her brace in the first half, Sophia Smith became just the third USWNT player to score multiple goals in a competitive match against Germany.

Just like Emma Hayes, she matches a feat accomplished in 1991, as the first two players to do so were Carin Jennings-Gabarra (3 goals) and April Heinrichs in the semifinals of the 1991 World Cup.

As the graphic above illustrates, the USWNT followed a dominant opening 45 minutes by weathering a German push in the first part of the second half, before Lynn Williams' late goal put the result beyond any doubt.

The lack of any real bump in Germany's expected goals when they scored their lone goal goes to show just what an impressive strike it took from Giulia Gwinn to beat Alyssa Naeher today.

Consider the test emphatically passed. Despite a hostile crowd at times, the U.S. cruised past Germany here in Marseille, even if this version wasn't at full strength after missing Lena Oberdorf due to injury. They may have conceded a goal, they may have had some nervy moments, but there was never much doubt about a result here.

The U.S. had clutch moments from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, more chemistry from the front line, and a bonus second-half goal from Lynn Williams. All in all, it's going to be a night in the office that they'll happily celebrate — and they'll have an easy day off tomorrow too, with no travel thanks to their third game against Australia being in the same exact stadium.

It's the exact start to the group stage that they needed, wanted, and achieved.

It's all over! What a performance by the U.S. women, their most impressive under relatively new head coach Emma Hayes.

They take control of Group B.

90+6' USWNT 4-1 Germany

Massive USA chant going now, which is quite a stark difference from before the game when the Germany-dominated crowd was making their allegiance known.

90+2' USWNT 4-1 Germany

We're into five minutes of second-half stoppage time.

With the result assured now, Casey Krueger and Jenna Nighswonger replace Emily Fox and Trinity Rodman.

90' USWNT 4-1 Germany

Trinity Rodman is over by the far sidelines after Lynn Williams' goal, a delightful one considering her upgrade to the 18 for these Games, urging the crowd to get even louder for her celebration.

89' USWNT 4-1 Germany

A fast break created by Rodman allows Swanson to find Williams in space on the left side of the box. She takes a touch before firing a shot back across the face of goal that beats Berger into the far corner of the net!

85' USWNT 3-1 Germany

Emma Hayes makes the USWNT's second sub, replacing Sophia Smith with Lynn Williams.

Smith, who scored twice in the first half, comes off to a big ovation.

82' USWNT 3-1 Germany

It is very clear that everyone is on tired legs right now, as the U.S. attempts to break into space are dead-ending fairly quickly while Germany recovers. Even one well-placed sub could seal the result for the U.S. here.

77' USWNT 3-1 Germany

Elisa Senss comes on in place of Alexandra Popp, who limps off after picking up a knock.

75' USWNT 3-1 Germany

This lack of U.S. rotation might reflect the wild Australia-Zambia game from earlier today. With Australia next up for the U.S., surely Hayes' staff has to be looking at the disorganized performances the Matildas have put on so far and weighed that against the effort needed to get three points out of today's match.

71' USWNT 3-1 Germany

I'm a bit surprised that USWNT head coach Emma Hayes hasn’t gone to her bench yet. A two-goal lead with 20 minutes left is a fine time for rotation, especially given pre-tournament injury concerns around players like Lavelle and Swanson.

68' USWNT 3-1 Germany

Germany make their first sub of the match, replacing Sjoeke Nüsken with Bayern Munich's Sydney Lohmann.