PARIS — The U.S. women’s national team carried on their good form in Group B at the Paris Olympics and secured an emphatic 4-1 win over Germany on Sunday in Marseille, thanks to a first-half brace from Sophia Smith and goals from Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams.
The four-time Olympic gold medalists clinched a berth in the quarterfinals and are all but assured to win Group B even if they close with a loss thanks to their plus-6 goal differential through two matches.
Smith gave Emma Hayes’ side an early lead with a simple finish in the 10th minute, before Giulia Gwinn equalized for Germany, the 2016 Olympic champions.
Swanson, who scored a quick-fire double in the win over Zambia, made it 2-1, while Smith’s deflected goal before halftime and Williams’ late effort sealed the rout.
The U.S. will meet Australia on Wednesday in Marseille to conclude the group stage.
Elsewhere on the second match day of the tournament, reigning champions Canada got a lifeline following a last-gasp 2-1 win over hosts France.
Canada’s quest to defend their 2021 gold medal was marred following a drone spying scandal that led to a one-year ban of coach Bev Priestman and a six-point deduction by world governing body FIFA from the Olympic tournament.
The top two teams in each of the three groups advance, along with the two best third-place sides, leaving Canada, now led by assistant coach Andy Spence, needing maximum points in their remaining Group A match on top of a favorable goal difference.
The slim Canadian hopes seemed to be dashed after France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto struck in the 42nd minute following a neat passing move.
But captain Jessie Fleming equalized 13 minutes after the break. The match looked to be heading for a draw before Vanessa Gilles seized on a rebound from the goalkeeper in the 12th minute of stoppage time to fire home.
Canada will face Colombia in their final group match on Wednesday.
Earlier, world champions Spain secured a spot in the next round with a 1-0 win over Nigeria in Nantes, courtesy of Alexia Putellas’ late winner.
The world champions had to wait until the closing stages in their Group C clash to break the Nigerian wall with a wonder free-kick from former Ballon d’Or winner Putellas.
Also in Group C, Brazil missed the chance to progress after a late 2-1 loss to Japan at Parc des Princes.
Brazil was leading after the break with Jheniffer’s low shot in the 56th minute after a play created by six-time Olympian Marta, who left the pitch to a standing ovation in the 84th minute.
Japan claimed victory with two stoppage-time efforts: Saki Kumagai from the penalty spot and substitute Momoko Tanikawa from long range after a misplaced pass by Rafaelle.
Australia and Colombia boosted their chances of making it to the next round with their first wins in the competition.
In a goal-fest in Nice, the Matildas rallied from two goals down to clinch a stunning 6-5 win over Zambia in Group B, with Australian Steph Catley and Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji scoring doubles, while Barbra Banda netted a hat trick, the third to her name for an Olympic record.
Colombia edged Group A rivals New Zealand 2-0 in Lyon thanks to Marcela Restrepo’s volley and a fine goal from Leicy Santos.
–Reuters, Special to Field Level Media
