Will the USWNT be able to overcome Marta and Brazil to take home gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Happy Wednesday! The Olympic men’s and women’s soccer finals are now set with the USWNT into Saturday’s gold medal showdown vs. Brazil with host nation France taking on Spain this Friday to conclude this Paris Games’ tournament. This is Jonathan Johnson with your midweek update.

Footy fix

All times U.S./Eastern

Wednesday, August 7
Friendly: Inter vs. Al-Ittihad, 2:30 p.m.  CBS Sports Golazo Network
USL: Detroit City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 7 p.m.  CBS Sports Golazo Network
Leagues Cup: LAFC vs. Austin FC, 10:30 p.m. MLS Season Pass

Thursday, August 8
Olympic men’s bronze: Egypt vs. Morocco, 11 a.m. Peacock Premium/Telemundo
Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. MLS Season Pass
Leagues Cup: Tigres UANL vs. Pachuca, 9 p.m. MLS Season Pass/FS1/TUDN

The Forward Line

USWNT and Brazil’s Olympic Paris date

The U.S. women’s national team will fight for the Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games this Saturday after Emma Hayes’ side overcame Germany 1-0 in extra time thanks to a Sophia Smith goal on Tuesday. The only goal of the encounter in Lyon came after 95 minutes when Mallory Swanson teed Smith up for a first time finish despite Ann-Katrin Berger and Felicitas Rauch’s best efforts. Smith’s third goal of this tournament has set up a clash with Brazil who blew Spain away 4-2 in Marseille and the Stars and Stripes are back in an Olympic gold medal game for the first time since 2012’s success in London. It did also require a stunning late Alyssa Naeher save to avoid penalties and to secure the narrow win and the chance to go for the top prize this weekend in the capital. 

Sandra Herrera’s player ratings reflected that she was impressed not only by Naeher and Smith, but also Naomi Girma in the USWNT’s hard fought victory over the Germans but also recognized Hayes’ ability to adjust to some unexpected absences for the DFB Frauenteam. Sam Coffey’s return from suspension and Tierna Davidson’s availability after injury enabled the English tactician to go with her favored starting XI for this tournament. It was not always vintage, but mid-game tactical and personnel changes ultimately helped to carve out a gritty and determined success over 120 minutes at Groupama Stadium.

• Herrera on Alyssa Naeher: “Was forced into a save during the opening 20 minutes and helped the defense remain organized when Germany worked in transition. Made good decisions during extra time to collect the ball and keep the team in good standing on the scoreboard. Made the save of the game late in the second half of extra time with her left foot on a ball that was surely heading in.” Rating: 7.5
• Herrera on Naomi Girma: “Anchored the backline as the defenders were functioning in a fluctuating three-player backline. Came up with a big tackle in the box early in the first half. Kept up the form in the second half and also had good decision-making when opting to spearhead attacks even in extra time.” Rating: 8
• Herrera on Sophia Smith: “Combined well with Lavelle and Swanson and tried to get on the end of long passes into the final third. Had her pocket picked a couple of times in the first 45 minutes but didn’t let that affect her movement throughout the match, even in extra time as she scored a goal.” Rating: 8

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France and Spain’s Euro 2024 Olympic rematch

In the men’s Olympic soccer, despite the USMNT’s exit in the earlier rounds, the final is now set for Friday between hosts France and UEFA Euro 2024 winners Spain after Les Bleus beat Egypt 3-1 after extra time and La Roja edged Morocco 2-1, having trailed by a goal to the Atlas Lions in Marseille. The French also fell behind for the first time this entire tournament against the Pharaohs in Lyon before recovering through two Jean-Philippe Mateta goals and an additional Michael Olise strike. Fermin Lopez and Juanlu Sanchez did the damage for the Spanish at Stade Velodrome to set their Paris gold medal clash with the home nation and confirming that it will be bronze at best for the Moroccans or the Egyptians.

Bronze medal game: Egypt vs. Morocco (Thursday)

There is no shame in finishing third for Morocco nor Egypt as neither could match France nor Spain’s greater pedigree.. The Moroccans still have plenty to play for, especially Soufiane Rahimi who scored his sixth tournament goal to make it 1-0 against La Roja which means that he has scored at least once in every single Olympic game so far this edition. The 28-year-old can still add to his tally in the bronze game against the Pharaohs who could make history if they manage to secure a third-placed finish for the first time ever but will have to do so without the suspended Omar Fayed.

Gold medal game: France vs. Spain (Friday)

Friday’s meeting between France and Spain is not only a rematch between these two after their UEFA Euro 2024 semifinal which  eventual winners La Roja came out on top in, but it is also a chance for one of these two to pick up a second Olympic gold medal with the Spanish possessing three silvers including their 2020 haul. Les Bleus only have one of each with the most recent coming 40 years ago in 1984 which was eight years before Spain’s maiden men’s soccer triumph. This summer has been stunning for La Roja so far with the Euro and an under-19 Euro title to their name and now a chance to taste Olympic success too. Thierry Henry’s hosts can call on the in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta who has four goals so far this tournament and Michael Olise who has scored two himself but provided four more. Parc des Princes beckons for these two although it is unlikely to make a major dent in the medals chase now with the U.S. and China well clear of the French with the Spanish all the way down in 18th.

  Top Stories

Matarazzo snubs USMNT: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s Bundesliga-based American boss Pellegrino Matarazzo has stated his intent to continue in Germany with the UEFA Europa League contenders after reported U.S. Soccer interest.

 Atleti’s Alvarez risk: Diego Simeone’s Spanish outfit are going for Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez with the Argentina international being run into the ground by club and country despite totting up the trophies.

Sancho to PSG: Does the Manchester United star to Paris after a fruitful spell on loan with Borussia Dortmund make sense for England international Jadon Sancho, the French champions, or the Red Devils?

 Barca closing on Olmo: With Xavi Simons now secured by RB Leipzig, Catalan giants Barcelona are nearing a $60 million deal to sign the German outfit’s Spain international and Euro 2024 hero Dani Olmo this summer. 

 Early EPL impressions: What is being made of the vibes around Premier League big boys Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur so far this preseason?

The Back Line

Best bet

• UCL qualifiers: Panathinaikos vs. Ajax, Thursday, 2 p.m. ET
  THE PICK: Ajax win and both teams to score (+450) — The UEFA Champions League only starts for most people when the group stage kicks off but there qualifiers beforehand often provide as much — if not more — drama and there are some very tidy clubs competing already despite not yet having even started their domestic league campaigns. Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce are 2-1 down after the first leg of their UCL qualifier with Lille OSC after Tuesday’s game in France and Thursday has another game steeped in pedigree for us with Greek outfit Panathinaikos up against fallen Dutch giants AFC Ajax. This one promises to be a spicy affair with a few goals thrown in for good measure and the Eredivisie will want to see its clubs gaining ground on France’s Ligue 1 in the UEFA coefficient from the off. Do not be surprised if Francesco Farioli’s side grind out a result in a style that is not necessarily in keeping with his new club’s stylistic beliefs.

For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t miss out on CBSSports.com’s betting home page.  

What’s on CBS Sports Golazo Network

 Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m.): Hosts Susannah Collins, Charlie Davies, Nico Cantor and Alexis Guerreros help fans get their day started on the network’s flagship morning show with highlights, interviews and the biggest soccer storylines. Morning Footy is also available in podcast form, so you’ll never have to miss an episode.

3⃣ Attacking Third (Monday, Thursday,): The leading women’s soccer podcast and social brand is now a live studio show. The NWSL season is back and our coverage of the women’s game is stronger than ever. Our analysts will be breaking down the USWNT, NWSL and European domestic season all year long. And don’t miss Wednesday live streams on YouTube at 11 a.m. ET.

 Call it What You Want (Monday night): A weekly podcast where Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and co. cover all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States. You can also catch the show streaming live on YouTube every Monday at 11 a.m. ET.

 Scoreline (Daily): Scoreline is the newest place for fans to catch up on all the biggest news and results impacting global football, match highlights from the top soccer competitions and all the can’t-miss goals from the day’s action, starting Thursday and airing seven days a week.

 How to watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 channel exclusively dedicated to offering unparalleled coverage of all the top soccer competitions worldwide. You can stream for free on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV and Paramount+.