FOOTBALL AT THE OLYMPICS AFTER THE SEMI FINAL STAGE:
France, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States qualified for both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Both the men’s and women’s New Zealand teams ended their tournament in the group stage, while the other four nations had both teams in the quarterfinals.
We went into the semifinals with only Spain having representation in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, but that came to an end when the women’s team fell short against Brazil.
THE SEMI FINAL RESULTS: MEN’S FOOTBALL
Monday, August 5, 2024
🇲🇦 Morocco ( 1 ) – ( 2 ) 🇪🇸 Spain
🇫🇷 France ( 3 ) – ( 1 ) 🇮🇶 Egypt
The African nations gave up their lead to suffer a semifinal defeat against the Europeans. Spain had to come from a goal down in the first half with two goals in the second half, while Egypt gave up a goal lead in the 83rd minute to eventually concede twice in extra time and suffer a 3-1 defeat to France.
France and Spain are guaranteed a medal but they are both aiming for Gold.
One of Egypt and Morocco will leave the tournament without a medal, as they fight for Bronze.
🥉MEN’S BRONZE MEDAL FINAL
Thursday, August 8, 2024: 🇪🇬 Egypt vs. 🇲🇦 Morocco
🥇/ 🥈MEN’S GOLD MEDAL FINAL
Friday, August 9, 2024: 🇫🇷 France vs. 🇪🇸 Spain
THE SEMI FINAL FIXTURES: WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
🇺🇸 United States ( 1 ) – ( 0 ) 🇩🇪 Germany
🇧🇷 Brazil ( 4 ) – ( 1 ) 🇪🇸 Spain
The bronze medal will end up in Europe, but the gold medal could go to a familiar place in North America or to a new territory in South America.
Being the current World Champions and boasting arguably the best players on their side, Spain were heavy favorites ahead of their game against Brazil. However, football did what it usually does and handed us a surprise. Brazil is off to contest for a gold medal against the United States, while Spain’s best finish will be winning the bronze against Germany.
The United States and Germany were the last two past gold medal winners left in the tournament. The United States picked up a win from a single goal to advance to the final at the expense of the Germans.
The most decorated nation in Olympic women’s football, the United States, is on track to pick up another medal. The United States has won six medals (four gold, one silver, and one bronze). They are the only nation with multiple gold medals in the women’s game and can extend their record by adding a fourth gold medal if they beat Brazil in the final.
This will be the third Olympic final played between the two nations, with the United States coming out as winners in 2004 (Athens) and in 2008 (Beijing). Those were also the only times that the Brazilian women have finished the tournament on the podium.
Fun fact: On the two occasions that the United States and Brazil played for gold in the Women’s tournament (2004 and 2008), the podium finish was:🥇 United States 🥈 Brazil 🥉 Germany. Will we get the same in 2024?
🥉WOMEN’S BRONZE MEDAL FINAL
Friday, August 9, 2024: 🇪🇸 Spain vs. 🇩🇪 Germany
🥇/ 🥈 WOMEN’S GOLD MEDAL FINAL
Saturday, August 10, 2024: 🇧🇷 Brazil vs. 🇺🇸 United States.
