Trinity Rodman poked a rebound into the back of the net in the 43rd minute, Korbin Albert added her first United States Women’s National Team goal, and the American soccer squad defeated Australia 2–1 on Wednesday, July 31, to sweep Group B at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
A corner lofted to the front of a crowded box landed close to Rodman, who pushed the loose ball with her right foot to break a scoreless start that led to a 10-minute delay caused by malfunctions related to the video replay-system. The goal was ultimately confirmed following the delay to review a potential offside violation on Sam Coffey.
After Albert scored in the 77th minute, Alanna Kennedy scratched one through for Australia in stoppage time to increase the tension in the match played in Marseille.
The trio of Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson has scored seven of the nine USWNT goals during the 3–0 start in Paris, with a quarterfinals matchup against Japan set for Saturday.
Coffey will not be available for the quarterfinals after receiving her second yellow card.
Rodman and Smith have scored or assisted on all of the USA’s group-stage games at the 2024 Olympics, becoming the first duo to accomplish that since Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach in 2012.
Tierna Davidson was replaced on the roster by Emily Sonnett on Wednesday. Croix Bethune remained on the 18-player, game-day roster in place of Jaedyn Shaw, who is also sidelined with a leg injury.
Defending champion Canada reached the quarterfinals with a 1–0 win over Colombia in Nice hours after the Canadians had an appeal against their six-point deduction dismissed. Colombia also booked a spot in the knockouts on Wednesday, along with France, Germany, Japan, and Brazil, but Australia missed out.
Wednesday’s results set up some tantalizing last-eight ties. Canada takes on Germany, the U.S. plays Japan, Spain meets Colombia, and France plays Brazil in Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Canada was docked points following a drone-spying scandal that led to the suspension of Coach Bev Priestman and other staff members, and their appeal against the FIFA sanction was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier in the day.
With the top two teams in each of the three groups advancing, along with two best third-place sides, Canada now led by assistant coach Andy Spence, needed maximum points against Colombia to progress from Group A.
After wins against New Zealand and host France, the Canadians received a Vanessa Gilles 61st-minute goal against Colombia following a set piece. That was enough to send Canada into the knockouts after finishing second in the standings with three points.
Despite the defeat, Colombia reached its first-ever Olympic quarter-final after finishing as one of the best third-place teams. France advanced with a 2–1 win over New Zealand in Lyon courtesy of Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s double to finish as the Group A winner.
