The United States women’s national soccer team faced their toughest test of the Olympics group stage on Saturday, and they delivered. France is the No. 3 ranked team in the world and were in control for long stretches of the match, but the Americans defended well and finished off their best chance, winning 1-0.
2016 Olympics highlights: USA women’s soccer passes tough test, beats France
Carli Lloyd did it again.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Carli Lloyd was the goal-scorer, like she has been many times before. The winner of the World Cup Golden Ball and 2015 Ballon d’Or, the awards for the best player in the World Cup and best player in the world all year, Lloyd has made a name for herself by scoring clutch goals. She scored the winning goals in the 2008 Olympics gold medal match, 2012 Olympics gold medal match and the 2015 World Cup final. Her winner was also her second goal in this tournament.
Besides Lloyd, it was also a big game for Hope Solo. She became the first goalkeeper to reach 200 caps, and she made a number of big saves to record a shutout.
