USA women’s soccer 4-1 Germany: Forwards propel USWNT to huge victory

That was a brilliantly clinical display from the USA and means they are into the knockout rounds with one group stage match to play.

They need just a point in their Group B finale against Australia in their finale to win the group and will at the very least be one of the two best-placed third-place teams.

Emma Hayes set her side up perfectly with the front three of Swanson, Rodman and Smith clinical and direct.

Germany had some big chances as the USA’s defense was a little shaky at times, but they were in control for the vast majority of the game and this was a statement win for the Americans.

That is that.

Mallory Swanson turns and runs towards goal before slotting in substitute Lynn Williams who calmly finishes across goal.

Williams, 31, is a very popular goalscorer and her teammates mob her.

Rose Lavelle, who has been absolutely everywhere, starts another USWNT counter attack.

She runs with the ball and sets up Trinity Rodman who cuts inside on her left foot and curls an effort towards the top corner.

Berger pulls off a superb stop to push it out for a corner and the only thing missing for the USA today is a goal for Rodman. She’s been excellent and Smith and Swanson have both got their goals.

There have been plenty of openings for the USA on the counter now.

Germany are pushing players forward and leaving huge gaps and Rose Lavelle is making so many forward runs but the USWNT just have’t quite got the final ball right on these counter attacks.

It is all very comfortable for the USA with under 10 minutes to go in Marseille.

The play on the pitch has been very entertaining and so have the scenes in the stands in Marseille.

Constant camera shots of both the American and German fans have been wildly entertaining and the photos below sum up the mood.

The vibes, they are very good in Marseille.

It is a mystery as to how Germany haven’t scored their second goal there.

A cross comes in and they have two efforts from close range as Schuller seems to miss from just two yards out and Naeher made a good stop in goal.

The USA are under pressure now and Germany are throwing everything at them with 27 minutes plus stoppage time to go in Marseille.

Brilliant play from Trinity Rodman, once again, down the right.

She crosses perfectly to the back post and Crystal Dunn and Mallory Swanson are there ready to tap home but neither can convert and the ball goes wide.

The USA really should have a fourth goal.

Brand tries to sneak a shot in at the near post and it takes a flick off her own player Schuller before clipping the outside of the post.

Naeher had it covered but that was better from Germany. Good build-up play out wide and much more dangerous.

Predictably Germany are trying to control the tempo and get a head of steam going to get back in the game.

The USA are happy enough to sit in and soak up some pressure and wait for their moments on the break.

Smith, Rodman and Swanson are so dangerous as a trio and will rip any team apart who gives them space on the transition.

Btw, the crowds shouts in Marseille are fantastic. Fans of both teams are having a lovely old time.

That was a brilliant first half in Marseille. USA ahead by two but Germany are still in this and have created plenty.

Sophia Smith with two and Mallory Swanson with one, while Gwinn’s effort for Germany was superb.

Some key half time stats for your perusing:

• Shots: USA 8, Germany 6
• Shots on target: USA 5, Germany 3
• Possession: USA 64, Germany 36

A cross comes in from the right and Nusken flicks a header inches wide of the far post.

Better from Germany who have caused the USWNT problems in this first half and the 3-1 scoreline does flatter the USA.

Still, they’ve been clinical and Germany just look a little rushed in the final third.

Sophia Smith has her second goal of the game and there is a big slice of fortune about this one... but who cares!?

A free kick is half cleared and Smith turns and shoots and the ball takes a big deflection off a defender, loops up and hits the post and goes in.

USA with a crucial third goal just before half time.

Tierna Davidson is off for the USWNT with an injury, which is a big blow.

Her partnership with Girma had really been developing at center back and Davidson made a wonderful block early on when Germany should have gone 1-0 up.

Emily Sonnett is on for Davidson just before half time.

What a game we have developing here in Marseille!

A long ball forward sees Sophia Smith charge in on goal and her wonderful effort is pushed away by Berger but Mallory Swanson is there to finish the rebound at the near post. That’s three goals in two games for Swanson at the Olympics.

The American fans are the ones going wild now. Germany were level for just four minutes.

Brilliant end-to-end game and two top teams going at it. Maybe they can replicate, or even better, that Australia 6-5 Zambia game from earlier!?

The ball drops to Giulia Gwinn about 25 yards out and she drills a low shot towards the far corner.

It bounces a few times and Alyssa Naeher won’t be delighted with her goalkeeping on that one.

Germany are level and their fans inside the stadium in Marseille are going bonkers.

What a start to this game. It’s so open and Germany probably deserve to be level.

That was so easy!

Trinity Rodman is played in on the right, plays a one-two with Rose Lavelle and her cross is past Mallory Swanson at the near post and Sophia Smith is there to tap home her first goal of the Olympics.

After that early scare, that is exactly what the USA needed. The large number of American fans in the stadium in Marseille go wild! 1-0 to the USA!

A poor giveaway from Horan puts Germany in but Naeher makes a great stop one-on-one and then there’s a huge block from Davidson to deny the rebound.

USWNT should be 1-0 down in Marseille. Germany will be kicking themselves.

That is a huge wakeup call for the Americans.

The anthems have been sung in Marseille and there is a huge contingent of American fans in the South of France.

This feels like a home game for the USA but there are plenty of German fans in attendance too.

What a game this should be. The No. 4 and No. 5 ranked teams in the world are all set for the biggest game of the group stage. Let’s goooooo!

As we await the start of USWNT vs Germany, it will do well to match the entertainment in the other game in Group B today.

With just a few minutes to go it is Australia 6-5 Zambia. That’s right.

Zambia led 5-2 through a hat trick from Barbra Banda and two from Rachael Kundananji, but the Matildas have come roaring back and Heyman put them ahead in the 90th minute.

Both teams are going all-out for the win which would surely see them through to the quarterfinals.

This is a classic. You can watch it on Peacock live right here.

The same starting lineup from the 3-0 win against Zambia has been selected for this massive game against Germany.

That means Sophia Smith, who was forced off in the first half with an ankle injury, is fit and that is a huge relief for Emma Hayes and USWNT fans everywhere.

USWNT starting lineup

Naeher; Fox, Girma, Davidson, Dunn; Coffey; Lavelle, Horan; Rodman, Swanson, Smith

As for Germany, the No. 4 ranked team in the world, they make one change to the starting lineup which hammered Australia 3-0 in their opener. Rauch comes in for Linder in defense.

Germany starting lineup

Berger; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Brand, Minge, Nusken, Buhl; Popp, Schuller