Paris Olympics 2024: Sophia Smith's brace powers USWNT past Germany for 4-1 win

And that's the game! The U.S. hold on and add a brilliant second-half goal to solidify the win.

Another German player is down, with a foul on Marina Hegerin giving Germany a free kick just outside the box. A big chance for the Germans, but it's blocked by the USWNT wall.

One last substitution for the USWNT, with Jenna Nighswonger and Casey Krueger coming in for Trinity Rodman and Emily Fox.

And a nice save from Naeher, as the U.S.'s excellent play continues. With five minutes of stoppage time left, this game is just about wrapped up.

Lynn Williams makes it four! The fan-favorite USWNT forward, who was originally named as an alternate, just about seals the deal for the Americans. Williams scores off a great sequence for the U.S., with a Rodman steal and pass followed by a great assist from Swanson.

Another close chance from Trinity Rodman, which is deflected out of bounds by Berger. USWNT corner kick incoming — but first, Lynn Williams, sporting a saucy red leg sleeve, subs in for Smith.

Germany has sped up the game, especially in the U.S.'s half. They aren't giving up on this game yet, but the USWNT is holding the lead with some solid defending. Naomi Girma is once again proving herself as a key fixture on the U.S. back line.

Alexandra Popp is down again, grabbing her knee. The German captain, who led the team to a gold medal in 2016, has limped off the field by her own power, passing the armband to Giulia Gwinn. She's replaced by Elisa Senss.

Naeher clamps down on another German shot from Gwinn, who scored Germany's sole goal. Germany has had a number of breakaways now, and the USWNT can't afford to get sloppy at this point.

Germany is amping up the pressure, but Crystal Dunn has a great tackle to get the ball out of German hands. It doesn't take long for the Germans to get another breakaway, but the USWNT defense gets it back out to the other half.

Phew! An escape for the USWNT as Naeher keeps the ball out of the net, but it's a close scramble for the ball in the box. Trinity Rodman is able to defend the ball and get it out of a dangerous situation for the U.S.

A close chance from the U.S. as Rodman passes into the box, but Swanson and Crystal Dunn get tangled up with their defenders — and maybe got in each other's way a bit. Nearly made it 4-1 but the U.S. plays on.

Another corner kick opportunity for the U.S. comes and goes without a goal. Although the USWNT hasn't conceded any corners yet, the team has already had five corner kicks in this game, but hasn't been able to convert on those set piece opportunities.

The second half has begun! The U.S. will try to add some more cushion to their score, and keep the Germans from adding goals of their own.

Mind-blowing stat of the day: In just a game and a half, the U.S. has now scored six goals in the Olympics so far, which is more than the team scored in the entire 2023 World Cup, where they scored four goals over four games.

The USWNT has largely controlled possession, holding the ball just under 65% of the game so far. The U.S. also has more shots — 9, plus 6 on goal — than Germany, who shot 7 times with 5 on target. But the Germans have been catching up, making more shots and controlling more possession towards the end of the half.

The U.S. will have to regain some of the control and momentum to keep up this winning pace — still, a 3-1 lead is a great start to this game.

Mal Swanson keeps making history, with three goals in two Olympic games marking a U.S. milstone.

Three goals for the U.S. in the first half, and this is exactly what Emma Hayes — and the fans — hoped for from the Smith-Swanson-Rodman front line. The USWNT's golden trio has played great together, making incredible runs and setting up great opportunities for each other.

Another close one from Germany, as forward Sjoeke Nusken just misses the cross in stoppage time. But the U.S. hold the score heading into halftime.

Another goal from Sophia Smith! Smith's shot hits the post and bounces just past Berger to go in. A perfect deflection to give Smith an early brace, and a strong 3-1 lead for the USWNT in the 44th minute.

Tierna Davidson spins around a German player, but immediately gets tackled by another, with their knees knocking. Davidson is sitting up, but still on the ground; she's getting attended to by medical staff.

Emily Sonnett is on the sideline to sub in for Davidson, who has been helped to the sideline and will not continue in this game.

Naeher with a shaky save, but she's able to keep her hands on it and keep Germany from equalizing again.

Well that didn't last long! Sophia Smith's shot is saved by Berger, but Swanson follows up to score her third goal in the Olympics so far. The U.S. have regained the lead; this one may go back and forth a bit.

German captain Alexandra Popp is fouled in the progress of Germany's goal, and USA's Sam Coffey gets a yellow card as a result. She'll have to watch herself slightly for the rest of the game.

German defender Giulia Gwinn scores an incredible goal from distance in the 21st minute that Naeher is unable to stop. It's the first goal conceded by the U.S. in the Emma Hayes era, and it slows the Americans' brief burst of momentum.

The U.S. gets in another shot off of a Rose Lavelle pass, but it hits German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger in the face and gives the U.S. a corner kick, which ends up being unsuccessful. After getting run around for the first ten minutes of this game, Smith's goal has certainly turned the tide, and given Team USA a much needed confidence boost.

An incredible sequence — a beautiful pass from Trinity Rodman, a backheel run from Mal Swanson and a perfect finish from Smith — gives the U.S. the early lead.

An early close call for the U.S., as Germany takes a shot and Alyssa Naeher isn't able to immediately get it under control. Defender Tierna Davidson is able to clear it out of the box, but not before some chaos threatens to give Germany an early lead.

Jaedyn Shaw, the dynamic 19-year-old forward, is still out with a leg injury. Croix Bethune, who came to the Olympics as an alternate, is on the bench in Shaw's place.

And we're off! A must-win game for both teams to ensure advancement out of the group stage.

Sophia Smith, who left the match against Zambia early with an injury, is back in Sunday's lineup and was all smiles ahead of the game.

It's two-time World Cup winner and legendary USWNT defender Ali Krieger's birthday today — and she's sending her support to the U.S. as they take on Germany.

"It's a MUST WIN today," Krieger said on social media, in response to birthday wishes from the team.