One twist after another and the quarterfinals of the women’s Olympic soccer tournament in Paris 2024 reward all the favored teams with one glaring exception, host France, eliminated by Brazil
There is no doubt that the Paris 2024 women’s soccer tournament will go down in history as one of the most beautiful, uncertain and unpredictable ever, confirming the sensations of the eve.
The debacle belongs to France, with a last-minute goal by Gabi Portilho that advances Brazil and eliminates the host nation in a bitter national disappointment. Spain wins on penalties, completing an extraordinary comeback against Colombia. Germany knocks out the host nation Canada, who until now had been undefeated, and finally, the United States suffers immensely against Japan, winning only in extra time.
Paris 2024 women’s soccer quarterfinal results
UNITED STATES – JAPAN 1-0
105’+2 Rodman
It was known from the start that Japan would be a tough opponent for the United States, given the consistency of the Japanese national team, perhaps one of the most balanced teams overall in the Paris Olympic tournament. An extremely balanced first half, with the United States maintaining possession, was followed by a second half in which Japan gradually emerged and even managed to create some good opportunities. There were chances on both sides, but the most important one was missed by Mallory Swanson from an excellent position.
The final was beautiful and intense, extremely tense, with both teams breaking all the patterns and playing openly, risking everything. Neither wanted to risk being eliminated, and extra time became the only possible option. The winning goal came at the end of the first half of extra time with Trinity Rodman, an authentic stroke of brilliance that saw her meet the ball acrobatically and redirect it into the opponent’s goal with truly extraordinary balance.
Japan exits the 2024 Olympics with heads held high, while the United States is firmly aiming not only for the podium but for a gold medal, which has been missing since 2012.
SPAIN-COLOMBIA 4-2 (after penalty shootout, 2-2)
12’ Ramirez, 52’ Santos, 79’ Hermoso, 90’+7 Paredes
Spain also faced a tough challenge against Colombia, which managed to put the world champion team in extreme difficulty with an agile and daring approach to the game. The Cafeteras played the match in the only way possible for them: attack from the start, seize their opportunities, and try to close the game knowing that their opponents had more depth on the bench, more resilience, and world-class players capable of deciding the match at any moment.
Colombia’s strategy paid off thanks to a dream first half in Lyon, where Mayra Ramirez first scored a goal from a splendid assist by Leicy Santos and then doubled the lead, also taking advantage of Spain’s glaring offensive uncertainties. Spain had at least two chances to equalize, one of which was unbelievably wasted by Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, just a few meters from Katherine Tapia’s goal.
When, at the start of the second half, Colombia doubled their lead with a deadly counterattack, things got very serious for Spain. A lightning-fast counterattack led by Linda Caicedo resulted in the second goal by Leicy Santos, putting the world champions on the ropes and just a step away from a nightmare.
This is when the strength of a winning team emerges—the talent of that phenomenal generation everyone talks about. Colombia made the mistake of getting nervous, succumbing to the fear of victory, and the anxiety of the ticking clock proved fatal. In the 79th minute, the South American defense faltered under pressure from a ball sent into the box, which Jennifer Hermoso converted into a goal of hope. Once again, in the interminable stoppage time, 7 minutes after the 90th, it was Irene Paredes who scored the equalizer, which just half an hour earlier seemed almost impossible to achieve.
In extra time, chances were few and sporadic, perhaps with Spain having a slight edge, but not much more. Penalty shootouts became inevitable, where the pressure on the ball was evidently too much for the Colombian girls, who were hypnotized by Cata Coll, the European champion with Barcelona and world champion with Spain: Catalina Usme missed, and shortly after, Salazar followed suit. The Spanish stars Caldentey, Navarro, Paralluelo, and Bonmatì made the fifth shot unnecessary. Spain advances to the semifinals.
CANADA-GERMANY 2-4 (after penalty shootout, 0-0)
Germany advances only thanks to penalties, thus eliminating reigning champion Canada at the end of a balanced match that marks the tournament’s first 0-0 draw of this Olympic edition. There were several chances, with a bit of inaccuracy from the forwards on both teams. The best chances in the first half came from Buhl and Brand, with Kailen Sheridan making a stunning save.
Canada was better in the second half, with Ann-Katrin Berger equaling the number of miracles between the posts and becoming decisive at the start of extra time, especially on a crucial chance that fell to Ashley Lawrence’s feet.
But the real difference Berger made was during the penalty shootout, where she saved the shots from Lawrence and Leon before stepping up herself to take a penalty and score the goal that secured the semifinal spot, despite Lohmann’s miss. A screenplay worthy of a movie.
FRANCE-BRAZIL 0-1
82’ Gabi Portilho
If there was one medal that the French people wanted more than any other from this Olympic tournament, it was for soccer, whether male or female. Given the recent disappointments of the French national team at the World Cup, with the defeat in Qatar by Argentina, it was the Bluettes who not only had the favor of the predictions on their side but also unconditional support from the public. A strong, talented, and well-rounded team with a forward, Katoto, consistently scoring in every match.
But against Brazil, without Marta, who was suspended after being sent off in the match against Spain, France got everything wrong. The beginning of the end came in the 12th minute when Delphine Cascarino was brought down in the penalty area by Tarciane: a golden opportunity that Sakina Karchaoui had saved by Lorena, the second decisive penalty saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper in this Olympic tournament.
France maintains the pressure, with the Nantes fans relentlessly pushing the team forward. Brazil is attentive, solid, tactically almost perfect, more robust defensively than creative offensively. When extra time seemed inevitable, Brazil pulls off a surprise: a deep, intelligent ball from Adriana that the French defense reads too late, allowing Gabi Portilho, a 29-year-old Corinthians defender, to score. The right person at the right time. Brazil explodes with joy, and France is consumed by regret and remorse, considering the 18 minutes of stoppage time decided by the referee, which were frankly unjustified.
For France, it’s the end of a cycle that perhaps never even began. The most important opportunity is wasted without even the satisfaction of a podium finish. For Brazil, it is the sixth semifinal, chasing the third medal and a never-before-won gold.
These are the results of the women’s soccer quarterfinals at Paris 2024, followed by the date and time of the upcoming semifinal matches.
18:00 USA-GERMANY Stade Decines-Charpieu (Lyon)
21:00 BRAZIL-SPAIN Stade Velodrome (Marseille)
