Tom Dart’s full match report is now live:
Championship-winning efforts are rarely straightforward. They involve moments in which everything seems to have gone wrong, moments of inspiration from unlikely places, and yes, a bit of luck. We in the Class of People Who Use A Lot of Words like to make grand pronouncements based on the small data points of the few meaningful moments that make a difference between winning a championship and departing in the quarterfinals.
But even if the USA looked far from dominant in this win, they more than earned their spot in the final. Germany rarely looked too dangerous aside from the last play – which, I’ll say again, likely would not have produced a goal that survived a VAR check.
Berger is a fine goalkeeper, perhaps the best in the world. (Sorry, English fans.) But if the ball is placed into danger too many times, even the best goalkeeper gives one up. She stopped several US chances that were better than the one on which she conceded. That’s how it goes sometimes.
It’ll be interesting to see if they end up facing Brazil. Before the 2008 Olympic final, I sat in the press tribune because people sent me places back then, and I informed my colleagues that the USA had no chance of winning against Marta and company. Oops. Might we see long-simmering revenge?
We’ve got a few days to think about it. This US team will be returning with a medal that has proved to be elusive recently.
See you later in the week when they determine the color.
