The United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) has smoothly advanced to the quarter-finals of the women’s football tournament at Paris 2024. With a perfect record of three wins from three games. Emma Hayes and her squad are set to face Japan in a thrilling quarter-final clash.
USWNT’s Road to the Quarter-Finals
The USWNT kicked off their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Zambia. They followed this with a dazzling 4-1 triumph over Germany, and even though they had already secured their place in the knockout stage before their final group match, they maintained their momentum with a 2-1 win against Australia on July 31. This unblemished record saw them join Spain as the only teams to top their groups unbeaten.
The Rivalry: USWNT vs. Japan
The USWNT’s history with Japan is rich and competitive. Over 40 encounters, the Americans have won 31 times, with Japan securing just one win and eight matches ending in draws. Despite the dominance reflected in these statistics, matches between the two nations are often fiercely contested.
The rivalry includes memorable moments from the 2011 and 2015 Women’s World Cup finals. In 2011, Japan claimed their first major title with a penalty shootout win after a 2-2 draw in extra time. The USWNT avenged this defeat in 2015 with a dominant 5-2 victory, highlighted by a Carli Lloyd hat-trick.
The teams have also met at previous Olympics, with the USWNT winning in London 2012, Beijing 2008, and Athens 2004. The only time Japan defeated the USWNT within 90 minutes was at the Algarve Cup in 2012.
Match Details and How to Watch
The USWNT and Japan will face off in a quarter-final match scheduled for Saturday, August 3. Kickoff is at 15:00 CET at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Fans eager to watch this exciting encounter can tune in through the official media rights holders (MRHs) for all the live action from Paris 2024.
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