In a heart-stopping semifinal match, the U.S. women's national team emerged victorious over Germany with a 1-0 win, booking their ticket to the gold medal match of the Paris Olympics 2024. It was a moment of redemption for the USWNT, exactly one year after their disappointing round-of-16 elimination at the Women's World Cup.

In an intense battle on the field, Sophia Smith became the hero for the Americans, scoring the game-winning goal in the 95th minute of extra time. The goal came after Mallory Swanson played a perfectly timed ball behind Germany's defense, leaving Smith with a moment of hesitation from goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and defender Felicitas Rauch. Smith seized the opportunity, lunged in, and found the back of the net, sending her teammates into a frenzy of celebration.

The victory marked the eighth unbeaten game for new coach Emma Hayes and propelled the U.S. women's national team into their sixth Olympic final, a testament to their determination and resilience. The team, having won five gold medals in the past, showed the world that they never dropped off, despite the challenges faced over the past year.

Coach Hayes praised Smith for her impressive finishing skills and credited Naomi Girma and the entire defensive unit for their stout performance in the hot and steamy conditions. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher also played a crucial role, making a stunning save in the dying moments of extra time to preserve the narrow margin.

Keeping in mind the back-to-back matches and the physically demanding nature of the Olympic tournament, fatigue is a concern for the U.S. team. However, Coach Hayes addressed these concerns head-on, inspiring her players with a video of Courtney Dauwalter, an American ultramarathoner who emphasized the importance of pushing through pain and creating a "pain cave."

The U.S. women's national team showcased their ability to handle difficult moments together, building a strong bond and creating new history with each match. As Coach Hayes stated, "I want them to suffer, because I believe you cannot win without it. We have handled the hard part better, just like Kara Lawson said, 'Handle hard better.'"

The semifinal clash with Germany was characterized by a languid pace, likely due to the scorching heat and unexpected lineup changes made by the Germans. Despite the absence of team captain Alexandra Popp and dynamic forward Lea Schüller, Germany put up a strong fight, with both teams having their fair share of chances.

Crystal Dunn was particularly active on the left side for the U.S., but Germany's defensive aggression posed a challenge throughout the game. Referee decisions and fouls punctuated the match, with Germany accumulating more fouls than the Americans.

In a tactical move, Coach Hayes brought on Lynn Williams and reshuffled the midfield, which proved to be critical. The best U.S. player in central defense, Naomi Girma, played a pivotal role by setting up Swanson for a chance that narrowly missed hitting the target due to an offside call.

However, in extra time, Swanson made amends with a well-timed assist to Sophia Smith, who displayed impeccable positioning and composure to secure the victory for the U.S. women's national team.

With their place in the Paris Olympics 2024 final secured, the USWNT is one step closer to adding another gold medal to their illustrious collection. However, as Swanson aptly summed up, the job is not done yet.