Smith extra time strike sends German women to Olympic bronze medal match

In a re-match of a group-stage fixture taking place some nine days ago, Horst Hrubesch's German women's national team have again faltered against the USWNT. The Bundesrepublik's "Frauen-Nationalmannschaft" - in their highest profile meeting with their historic rivals since the 2015 Women's World Cup semi-finals - must contend with the exact same result. The DFB-Frauen, just like nine years ago, are headed to the bronze medal match following a U.S. victory. Emma Hayes' team will play for gold after besting the Germans 1-0 in extra time. 

Hrubesch had to contend with the loss of two of his regular starters on short notice. Unfortunately, squad captain Alexandra Popp came down with a flu-like infection and was unavailable. Lead-striker Lea Schüller, due to inflammation in a knee joint, also couldn't go. As a result, Nicole Anyomi and Sydney Lohmann were drafted in the XI. The two personnel changes from the previous match also led to a formation shift. Jule Brand moved up to pair with Anyomi in a two-striker-set while Lohmann settled in on the right wing. Sjoeke Nüsken fell back to work alongside Janina Minge. The DFB-Mädels lined up in a 4-4-2.

Newly-installed German #1 net-minder Ann-Katrin Berger found herself forced into action immediately as the Americans began the game on the front foot. The player-of-the-match in the quarterfinal victory over Canada was put to work quickly on a 2nd-minute corner. Berger then had to stretch to parry a blistering Lavelle distance-effort at the end of a fierce U.S. counter two minutes later and collect a Sophia Smith shot in the 7th. After a fast-paced start, matters slowed up a bit due to multiple foul interruptions. The Germans picked up a bit of rhythm, yet created no real scoring chances of note. 

Klara Bühl recorded the first DFB shot-on-target with a direct take off a corner in the 21st. Brand then added another at the end of a strong individual run in the 24th. Anyomi, Nüsken, and Giulia Gwinn then contributed some clever moves as the German attack began to pick up steam. The USWNT counters similarly maintained promise about them. To their immense credit, Hrubesch's ladies remained calm and composed at the back. Both teams finished the half strongly and competently on the defensive side with no further chances emerging before it was time to head into the tunnel. 

USWNT trainer Hayes employed one change at the break, switching out central defender Tierna Davidson for midfielder Emily Sonnett. The Americans had often switched to a back-three on their builds during the first half. Sonnett's introduction seemed aimed at formalizing this. Hrubesch's team, meanwhile, clearly reverted to their 4-2-3-1 system after the restart. Lohmann shifted central to play ten while Brand fell back on the right wing. Anyomi worked as the lone striker. The DFB-Mädels generally laid off the ball and played for counter opportunities. 

Play from the two semi-finalists remained largely choppy as the hour-mark approached. Hayes' decision to insert striker Lyn Williams for Rose Lavelle in the 60th interjected some life into the U.S. Ladies. The next move in the ongoing tactical battle led to a pair of half chances for the USWNT and a close call on a Mallory Swanson effort in the 62nd. Hrubesch attempted to respond by replacing Anyomi with her Eintracht Frankfurt teammate Laura Freigang in the 69th. After an uneventful nine minutes, Hegering too had to be replaced by Bibiana Schulze-Solano due to an injury flare up. 

The Americans unequivocally remained the team more interested in snatching the win as normal time wore down. Berger did well to save a headed effort from USWNT captain Lindsey Horan in the 79th. Celebrations over a potential late winner in the 86th were cut short when supposed goal-scorer Swanson was ruled offside. Slick winger Trinity Rodman and buccaneering left-back Crystal Dunn made some enterprising runs in the final minutes. The deep-seated DFB-Mädels were nevertheless able to diffuse dangerous crosses into the box for both players. 

Hrubesch and Hayes employed more changes at the start of extra time. Korbin Albert and Jenna Nighswonger relieved Dunn and Horan on the U.S. side. At the other end, the scorer of one of the tournament's most beautiful goals, Elisa Senß came on for Lohmann. Senß managed to unlock Freigang with a nice cutback in the 93rd, but the SGE sub couldn't get past American defender Naomi Girma. Bühl whipped in a shot on USWNT keeper Alyssa Naeher seconds later. The brief spell of pressure regrettably proved all for naught as the game's opening goal would follow it up.

Smith - who played a significant role in undoing the DFB-XI in the group stage - notched the 1-0 in the 95th. German left-back Felicitas Rauch - who also made several notable errors in the 1-4 defeat - misjudged a Swanson through ball for Smith on the half-right of the 18. Capitalizing on Rauch's error, Smith lifted her finish past the onrushing Berger. Rauch did recover to prevent Rodman from netting a second goal three minutes later. Berger also prevented Smith from scoring another brace with a stellar footed save in the 104th.

Hrubesch's team weren't able to muster up much in terms of a response in the second period of added time. A Freigang header in the 119th was somewhat fortunately cleared off the line by Naeher. Smith came closer to registering another scorer's brace in the 120th, failing in front of Berger after impressively dancing past substitutes Senß and Shulze Solano. Germany's dream of Olympic Gold came to an end with the full time whistle. Their final appearance in the competition, and Hrubesch's final match in charge, will come in the third-place playoff on Friday afternoon.