2024-08-07 13:20:02
After a long tactical battle that extended into extra time between Emma Hayes and Germany head coach Horst Hrubesch, Smith’s goal in the 95th minute proved to be the game-winning moment.
The 23-year-old used her pace to get on the end of a brilliant through ball from Swanson and beat a defender to strike the ball past Berger from inside of the box.
“I just saw an open net in front of me and knew I had to step up in the big moment,” Smith said after the match. “I felt I had to do that for this team, we’ve been working so hard. I felt a lot of emotions. I was relieved, I was happy. We have a special connection with Mal. It’s like I know where she will be, and she knows where I will be at all times. That was key for our goal tonight.”
“It was a really tough game, and our defense was amazing,” Smith added.
As expected, Germany upped its attack. In the 118th minute, Naeher’s spectacular kick save prevented Laura Freigang’s close-range header from going into the net. The USWNT was able to hit on the counter directly after as Smith dribbled past two defenders, but the Portland Thorns forward was unable to convert the chance.
In the end, the U.S. did just enough to hold off Germany and keep a clean sheet to advance to the gold medal match.
It marked four hours since the U.S. conceded, which is an unbelievable feat for Girma.
“Four hours? Wow. I think it’s amazing,” she said. “The key is that we all give our everything. We all play for each other and for our team. We are always focused.”
