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Women’s Soccer 2024 Paris Olympics: Bracket, what to know as USWNT faces Japan, Canada meets Germany

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2 weeks ago

August 2, 2024

Women's Soccer 2024 Paris Olympics: Bracket, what to know as USWNT faces Japan, Canada meets Germany

The knockout rounds for Olympic women’s soccer are here and the United States will face familiar foe Japan, 2023 FIFA World Cup champions Spain will meet Colombia, reigning Olympic gold medalists Canada will play Germany, and tournament hosts France will play Brazil. The quarter-finals start on Saturday, the semi-finals are scheduled for Tuesday. The last two teams to reach the semi-finals will compete for the gold medal on Friday, August 10.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Quarter-final schedule and how to watch

Always US/East

You can stream Olympic action on Fubo (Try for free).

Saturday August 3

USWNT vs. Japan, 9am (US)
Spain vs Colombia, 11am (Universo)
Canada vs. Germany, 1 p.m. (Universo)
France vs. Brazil, 3 p.m. (Universo)

Hook

USWNT vs. Japan, August 3 in Paris

USWNT: The Stars and Stripes have answered many questions and silenced doubters with their dominant group stage. Three wins in the group match under new head coach Emma Hayes and she has the team playing with confidence. The attack is the most deadly since before the 2023 World Cup, but now the pressure will be turned up, with knockouts of their own breed of beast and where anything can happen.

Japan: The program has rebuilt itself over the last cycle and had a respectable run at the 2023 World Cup. They have just the right mix of balance in their squad, with youth and top players who are technical on the ball and clinical in transition. They seem to be getting stronger as the tournament progresses with six different goalscorers during the group stages, and that’s a tough team to stop in the knockouts.

Spain versus Colombia, August 3 in Lyon

Spain: La Roja participated in the Olympic Games in Paris in excellent form and as a team to beat. They lived up to the billing, led by Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati. The 2023 World Cup winners have been tested by teams who played their top matches against the world champions. They’ve won all their group matches and found the back of the net even without Salma Paralluelo converting — until now.

Colombia: The Colombians entered the elimination rounds as the best group team in third place, meaning there is room for improvement for this squad. They will be grateful to have striker Mayra Ramirez back in the mix after serving a two-match suspension for a red card during Colombia’s 3-2 defeat in their Olympic opener against France. They will need everyone if they want to attack the Europeans and cause a huge shock.

Canada vs. Germany, August 3 in Marseille

Canada: Even a six-point deduction couldn’t stop Canada’s Olympic run. Plagued by a spy scandal after the coaching staff were caught using drones ahead of their group opener, consequences included suspensions and points deductions. The selection is curated, not with an upbeat “rah-rah” vibe, but with a “despite” energy. They won all their group matches and managed to progress to the knockouts, and now they are playing with something to prove, which makes them all the more dangerous.

Germany: The Germans will have a lot of work ahead of them in the knockouts. They have done well enough without midfielder Lena Oberdorf with group wins against Australia and Zambia, but struggled against the United States. If they want to progress, they need another big performance from Jule Brand and Klara Buhl.

France vs Brazil, August 3 in Nantes

France: Where would Les Bleues be without Marie Antoinette Katoto? Possibly eliminated – let’s face it. The tournament hosts had some nervous moments during the group stage against all three of their opponents, and Katoto came up for them in big moments. They are yet to put in a full 90-minute performance, but their two group wins were enough for the top seed, and now they face a limping Brazil team, so they need a definitive win to push them through to the semis final.

Brazil: The Brazilians will be without their most iconic player, Marta, after being shown a red card during their group match against Spain for a high boot to the head. Brazil are another team that has had mixed performances at the Olympics, and now they will have to regroup for the knockouts and get more out of their attack if they want to be taken seriously.