Sophia Smith’s extra-time goal sends USWNT to Olympic gold medal match

• Paris Olympics semi-finals: USA 1-0 Germany (aet)
• Emma Hayes leads US to final in first tournament

Like the arduous quarter-final win over Japan, this edgy victory was a reality check after the exuberant thrashings the US have doled out in the sunrise phase of the Emma Hayes era.

But a win will do, any which way - especially when it means the USWNT are in the Olympic final. A year to the day since one of their lowest ebbs, the loss on penalties to Sweden in the first knockout stage of the 2023 World Cup, a hard-fought and sometimes hard to watch 1-0 extra-time victory over Germany sent the US into Saturday's final at the Parc des Princes, ensuring the Americans at least a silver medal.