World champions Spain, new-look US top Olympic women’s football billing
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Spain's Aitana Bonmati will be a key player for the Spaniards as they seek to win Olympic gold to follow up from their World Cup victory.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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PARIS – A rejuvenated United States team under new coach Emma Hayes are targeting a record-extending fifth women’s football gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games but face stiff competition, not least in the shape of World Cup holders Spain with their impressive star-studded line-up.
The Americans just about remain the biggest draw in women’s football, winning Olympic gold in 1996, and clinching three in a row in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
But they exited in the quarter-finals in 2016 and settled for bronze three years ago in Tokyo. That was followed by a shock last-16 exit at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, an outcome that precipitated the exit of coach Vlatko Andonovski.
The US arrive in Paris under the leadership of former Chelsea boss Hayes.
She made a striking decision when naming her squad for the Games by choosing to leave out Alex Morgan, one of the leading players in the sides who won the 2015 and 2019 World Cup but now in her twilight years at the age of 35.
“It was a tough decision of course... especially considering Alex’s history and record with this team, but I felt I wanted to go in another direction and selected other players,” said Hayes.
It is a younger US squad now, but experience is still there, notably in the shape of Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle, members of the side who were world champions in France in 2019.
The US are in a difficult Group B with Germany and Australia and they kick off on July 25 against Zambia.
The format – with 12 teams in three groups of four – means the two best third-placed sides also advance to the quarter-finals, providing a safety net in the event of slip-ups.
There will be six matches on the opening day of the women’s tournament.
Germany, gold medallists in 2016, will aim to bounce back from their group-stage exit at the 2023 World Cup.
Their opponents Australia are hoping to build on their run to the semi-finals in that event on home soil, yet they are missing captain Sam Kerr as she recovers from injury.
Spain, in Group C with Japan, Nigeria and Brazil, will take some beating as they arrive in Paris with the stars who led them to World Cup glory 11 months ago.
Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Salma Paralluelo are the standout players in a superb side who also won the Women’s Nations League in 2024 and are now making their Olympic debut.
“I’m sure lots of people and teams see us as favourites, but this competition is a bit different,” Bonmati said.
“We play lots of matches in a short space of time, and against good sides, so it will be very difficult. But obviously we have the maximum ambition and are going for gold.”
Spain kick off against 2012 silver medallists Japan, whose side includes Hinata Miyazawa, top scorer at the 2023 World Cup.
Nigeria are the top-ranked African nation, while Brazil are two-time silver medallists.
France, meanwhile, are aiming high on home soil as they face reigning Olympic champions Canada, New Zealand and starting against teenage sensation Linda Caicedo’s Colombia in Group A. AFP
