WOMENS SOCCER - OLYMPICS
2004
Athens Olympics Final - USA (2) v (1) Brazil - The USA claimed their 2nd Olympic title with an extra-time win over Brazil in Piraeus. USA took a 1-0 lead in at the half with a goal from Lindsay Tarpley but a young Brazil team fought hard in the 2nd half, equalising in the 73rd minute with a goal from Pretinha. Brazil then nearly took the win, hitting the woodwork twice, but the game remained tied and went to extra-time. Both teams pressed for a winner and it was the USA that took the Gold with a game-winning goal 8 minutes from time from Abby Wambach. The game proved to be the last game together for the USA's "Fab 5" of Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain and Joy Fawcett (8, 2 Discs, BBC - Davies, PAL)
2012
London Olympics Group E - Great Britain (1) v (0) Brazil - Great Britain claimed top spot in the group with a tight win against a favoured Brazilian team. A 2nd minute goal from Steph Houghton did the damage and GB could also afford to miss a 2nd half penalty before holding on to win. GB also featured captain Casey Stoney, Kelly Smith and Karen Carney. Brazil were led by captain Marta (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Mowbray/Ward, PAL)
London Olympics Semi-Final - Canada (3) v (4) USA - Team USA made it through to their 5th straight Olympic Final, but were made to fight all the way by a tough Canadian team. Canada did not trail in the game until the final seconds of extra-time when Alex Morgan scored from a header to send the USA through to the final. Canada got a great game from striker Christine Sinclair as she scored all 3 of their goals. The other USA goals came from Megan Rapinoe (2) and Abby Wambach (10, 1 Disc, NBC - White/Chastain, NTSC)
2021
Tokyo Olympics Group E - Great Britain (2) v (0) Chile - Great Britain started their Olympic campaign with a hard-fought win over Chile at an empty stadium in Sapporo, Japan. 2 goals, 1 in each half, from Manchester City striker Ellen White did the damage. Great Britain dominated the stats, using 59% possession to accumulate 22 shots on goal (9, 1 Disc, BBC - Pearce/S.Smith, PAL)
Tokyo Olympics Group E - Great Britain (1) v (0) Japan - Great Britain booked their place in the knockout round with a tough win against the hosts at an empty Sapporo Dome. Manchester City striker Ellen White scored the winner in the 74th minute (9, 1 Disc, BBC - Pearce/S.Smith, PAL)
Tokyo Olympics Group G - Sweden (3) v (0) USA - In the tournament opener for both teams, Sweden scored a huge upset, beating the World Champions. The loss was the USA's first in 44 games. The Sweden goals came from Stina Blackstenius (2) and substitute Lina Hurtig. USA featured Rose Lavelle, Sam Mewis, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and substitute Megan Rapinoe (9, No half-time, 1 Disc, BBC - Nugent/Sobral, PAL)
Tokyo Olympics Quarter Final - Great Britain (3) v (4) Australia - In a shootout at the Kashima Stadium, Australia came-back from almost-elimination to book a place in the Semi-Final. The game ebbed-and-flowed, with England fighting back from a 1-0 deficit to lead 2-1 entering the final minute of the game. But the Matilda's scored to force extra-time, where 2 more goals gave them a lead they defended to the end. The Australia goals came from Alanna Kennedy, Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr (2). The Great Britain goals came from a hat-trick from Ellen White (9, No half-time, 2 Discs, BBC - Pearce/S.Smith, PAL)
Tokyo Olympics Bronze Medal match - Australia (3) v (4) USA - At Tokyo's Kashima Stadium, USA won Bronze in a shootout with Australia. Both teams were evenly matched but the USA took their chances when they came. USA held a 4-1 lead 6 minutes into the 2nd half, but Australia fought back with 2 unanswered goals to make a game of it, but ultimately the World Champions were good enough to see out the game and take the win. The USA goals came from Megan Rapinoe (2) and Carli Lloyd (2). The Australia goals came from Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Emily Gielnik. Coverage does not include the medal ceremony (9, Next day re-broadcast with some edits in the 1st half, 1 Disc, BBC - McCrea/Kitromilides, PAL)