The Paris 2024 Olympics showcased the world's best women's soccer players, and their contributions on the field have earned them a place in our Team of the Championship.
Less than one month ago, 12 teams flocked to France hoping to win a gold medal in women's soccer at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Strong teams like the United States, Spain, and France entered the tournament as favorites while Brazil, Germany, and Japan were considered dark horses.
The contest featured many reel-worthy moments, including spectacular saves, shocking red cards, and numerous goals. Although only one team can walk away as Olympic champions, players from various countries have left their mark on France.
Here it is 90 min Team for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
GK: Lorena – Brazil/Gremio
No player has had a bigger impact between their team's posts than Lorena. This goalkeeper may not have as many clean sheets as Alyssa Naeher from the USA, but she has been keeping her team in all the games they have played with heroic efforts. The Brazilian saved a penalty against Japan and France, then stood on his head against Spain in the semi-finals.
Lorena had more to do at the back than any other goalkeeper in the competition, and she was always great.
DF: Battle of Ona – Spain/Barcelona
War has been La Roja's best defender at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The right-back played every second in Spain this summer and performed well even when his defenders failed. The 25-year-old created chance after chance for his team, including the most of any player in the bronze medal game, and managed to do his job at the back.
DF: Naomi Girma – United States/San Diego Wave
Naomi Girma was the best defender at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The defender was a brick wall at the back, and even when her partner, Tierna Davidson, went down with an injury, Girma still delivered and helped her team keep two clean sheets in the division of elimination to send his team to the gold medal game.
DF: Vanessa Gilles – Canada/Lyon
Canada's gold medal defense was fraught with controversy this summer, but Vanessa Gilles did everything she could to give her team a fighting chance after being stripped of six points in the group stage. Under his leadership, the Reds conceded only two goals in four games, and kept two clean sheets in their two games to win.
Gilles also scored the winners against France and Colombia to send his team into the knockout stage.
DF: Emily Fox – United States/Arsenal
Emily Fox has been a key part of USA's exceptional backline this summer. Despite a minor knee injury, the right-back started every game and played all 120 minutes in the semi-final to keep the Stars and Stripes ahead 1-0 in Germany. The 26-year-old's precise passing and dominance down the right side cannot be ignored, especially with how well he closed down his opponent's best players.
MF: Adriana Leal – Brazil/Orlando Pride
Adriana's impact in Marta's absence has been second in Brazil. The 27-year-old stepped up when his side needed him most, assisting the winning goal in the quarter-final against France and then scoring the winner against Spain in the semi-final.
He may have less minutes than many other midfielders starting in the competition, but he certainly has two very good, important moments for the team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
MF: Aitana Bonmati – Spain/Barcelona
Spain saw their hopes of a first ever Olympic medal in women's football dashed after losing to Brazil and Germany in their last two games in France. As usual, however, Aitana Bonmati showed his quality in midfield as he released players around him to push forward and create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
He managed just one goal for France this summer, but anyone who watched the Ballon d'Or winner saw just how good he is, even without his team.
MF: Klara Buhl – Germany/Bayern Munich
Germany would not have entered this deep in the Olympics in Paris 2024 without the performance of Klara Buhl. The 23-year-old has scored just one goal for his side this summer, but has been particularly successful with his service in the final third. In fact, he can undoubtedly have impressive numbers if his teammates can find the final product in the final third.
Still, Buhl was one of the most consistent, reliable midfielders in the entire competition.
FW: Trinity Rodman
Since Emma Hayes took over for the USWNT, Trinity Rodman's game has reached new heights. After failing to score in the first half of 2024, the forward scored in his Olympic debut and scored the winner against Japan to send his team to the semi-finals. She is the heart of the USA attack and their most skilled player up top, always looking for success against the low block to find Sophia Smith or Mallory Swanson.
FW: Marie-Antoinette Katoto – France/PSG
Marie-Antoinette Katoto struggled to make a difference in the quarter-finals against Brazil, but her dominance in the group stage should still be celebrated. The striker scored five goals in France's opening three matches, including the wins over Colombia and New Zealand. Without the 25-year-old, Les Bleues might not even have reached the knockout stage.
FW: Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith proved she is a top goalscorer this summer in France. A lot of pressure was put on the 23-year-old's shoulders after the USWNT failed to score in their final Olympic warm-up game, and the striker stepped up when his team needed him most. Smith scored the game-winning goal against Germany to send the Stars and Stripes to their first gold medal game since 2012.
Source link
