A dramatic spherical of quarter-finals concluded on Saturday within the girls’s soccer match on the 2024 Olympics in France.

Longstanding rivals the USA and Japan kicked issues off within the early afternoon, adopted by World Cup winners Spain and Colombia. Reigning gold medalists Canada confronted Germany, which was adopted by hosts France taking up Brazil in Nantes.

Three of the 4 video games progressed to extra-time, whereas two went all the best way to penalties on a dramatic day of soccer. Just one concluded inside regular time within the last match as hosts France had been knocked out by Brazil.

Right here, 90min takes a have a look at the quarter-final outcomes and selects our participant of every match…

It was a cagey, quiet sport between the USA and Japan as each groups registered only a single shot heading in the right direction by the hour mark. After a goalless 90 minutes, the match was taken to extra-time, the place the USA lastly stepped up their efficiency ranges.

On the finish of the primary half of extra-time, a clipped ball from Crystal Dunn discovered the run of Trinity Rodman. The US ahead’s fast toes created a gap and she or he fired an effort into the far nook to place her facet within the driving seat.

Regardless of a late push from Japan within the closing phases, the US held on to clinch the outcome and progress to the semi-finals.

Participant of the match: Trinity Rodman (USA) – 7/10 – Simply as she did within the last group sport, Rodman stepped up as soon as once more. It was a troublesome afternoon for the USA’s ahead line as they struggled to interrupt Japan down, however the likelihood was taken when it mattered most.

Spain nearly emerged on high in a somewhat lacklustre show from the world champions, needing penalties to ultimately eradicate Colombia.

Chelsea’s Mayra Ramirez opened the scoring contained in the opening quarter-hour to place Spain on the again foot earlier than Leicy Santos stepped up with Colombia’s second objective shortly after half time.

It gave the impression to be a great distance again for Spain, however a collection of accidents to the likes of Ramirez and Linda Caicedo made it a troublesome finish to the sport for the South People.

Substitute Jenni Hermoso was the much-needed spark for Spain as her objective with ten minutes to play ignited the comeback. Irene Paredes, who was at fault for one of many earlier targets, made amends with a last-gasp equaliser on the loss of life to take it to extra-time.

Spain’s high quality then confirmed throughout a penalty shootout as they claimed the win by 4 transformed spot-kicks to Colombia’s two. Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati stepped as much as rating the profitable penalty for Spain to maintain their Olympic dream alive.

Participant of the match: Jorelyn Carabali (Colombia) – 8/10 – Two targets and a penalty shootout in opposition to the world champions shouldn’t be ignored. The goalscorers apart, it was central defender Carabali who stood out for Colombia as her tenacity, resilience and need allowed them to carry on for so long as they did. It isn’t on a regular basis Spain have a foul day on the workplace in entrance of objective and it was largely right down to the work the Brighton defender put in.

It was a poor night in entrance of objective for each Germany and Canada in Marseille. Canada had the higher possibilities with 5 pictures heading in the right direction to Germany’s one throughout the 90 minutes and additional time.

It was the second quarter-final to go all the best way to penalties and Ann-Katrin Berger’s heroics put Germany by means of to the semi-finals. Ashley Lawrence noticed her penalty saved, however Sydney Lohmann then fired her effort excessive and huge moments later to maintain issues stage.

Adriana Leon, who is usually so dependable for Canada, additionally had her penalty saved and it was Berger who then went on to attain the profitable spot-kick for Germany.

Participant of the match: Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany) – 8/10 – She stored Germany within the sport all through the 90 minutes and extra-time with some strong saves, nevertheless it was within the shootout the place the 33-year-old actually stepped up. Not solely did she save two of Canada’s penalties, however she scored her personal to ship Germany by means of.

The ultimate quarter-final noticed hosts France tackle Brazil, who had been with out the skilled Marta after she was despatched off for a excessive foot of their last group sport. It was nearly the dream begin for France as they gained a penalty contained in the opening 20 minutes, however Sakina Karchaoui could not convert.

France continued to dominate proceedings late into the sport, however a uncommon lapse in focus on the again gifted Brazil a gap. With their first try heading in the right direction in 82 minutes, Gabi Portilho latched onto a unfastened ball and fired Brazil in entrance.

Regardless of 16 minutes of extra time on the finish of the 90, France had been unable to muster up an equaliser to take the sport to extra-time. Herve Renard’s facet finally ran out of concepts as they resorted to long-range efforts, however Brazil held on valiantly.

Participant of the match: Gabi Portilho (Brazil) – 7/10 – After a goalless 80 minutes, there was little to rejoice. Nonetheless, it was a second of high quality from Portilho to capitalise on a uncommon error to clinch the victory.

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