As the Olympic focus now switches from Paris to Los Angeles, and the Americans begin to prepare to try and replicate the success of the French endeavour, so there will be more focus on football and its role at the Games.

It is the only sport at the Olympics where there is an age restriction and one of several where the ultimate prize in the sport is not a gold medal.

It the case of tennis it would be Wimbledon or one of the other Grand Slam events; in golf, the Masters or The Open. For football, obviously, the World Cup or even Champions League.

The men’s football tournament at the Olympics is played at under-23 level with three overage players allowed in the squad for the Games, but not the qualifiers.

The women’s tournament is played at full international level, but with 12 teams as opposed to 16 for the men.

All a bit messy and rightly begging the question ‘why?’

Football does not need the Olympics … that is for sure. Indeed the under-23 rule is to ensure the contest for gold in no way constitutes a mini-World Cup and threatens in any way the prestige and sanctity of football’s four yearly showpiece.

But the Olympics needs football and that is why the sport remains, even if watered down and devoid of all the stars we seen in the other disciplines.

In the ‘amateur’ era, it was Soviet-bloc countries who dominated, using their top (supposedly unpaid) players. But from 1984 onwards, the last time the Games were hosted in L.A, the rules were changed to allow professional players, and for African, Asian, Caribbean, North and Central American and Oceania nations to field a full men’s side while European and South American teams were not allowed to use players who had played previously at a World Cup.

France won gold in LA in 1984 under coach Henri Michel (later to work at Mamelodi Sundowns) and the 80 000-odd crowd they pulled in at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the final, plus sell out attendances most other matches, meant football was the best attended sport.

It has stayed that way since and the ticket sales explain why the International Olympic Committee wants to have football every four years, even if it is more of a pain than anything else for the footballing fraternity.

Fifa do not compel clubs to release players for the Olympics, so it can be tough to field a decent side and since the under-23 age restriction brought in for Barcelona in 1992, it has evolved into a youth tournament.

One rider to all this is that Africa has done well out of the Olympics and has no issue with participating.

When the Kalusha Bwalya-inspired Zambia side thrashed Italy 4-0 at the 1988 Games in South Korea that was a major confidence booster for African aspirations and the bronze medal for Ghana in Barcelona four years later also a major breakthrough.

The 1996 and 2000 Olympic golds for Nigeria and Cameroon were clouded by accusations of age cheating but did also show that Africa was making considerable progress in producing more internationally competitive teams.

To have both Egypt and Morocco in the Paris semifinals earlier this month was another welcomed boost.

The United States' soccer gold capped an Olympics worth celebrating for the National Women's Soccer League, as a hunt for global talent pays dividends on and off the pitch.

A record 57 NWSL players were called up for the Games - about a fifth of the total in Paris - up from 38 in Tokyo and Rio, the most of any professional league.

It was the kind of number Commissioner Jessica Berman hoped to see, two years after the league built new strategies around bringing in international talent.

"It goes without saying that the success of the U.S. women's national team creates tremendous tailwinds and momentum for our league," Berman told Reuters.

"It is also true that I think the last five years or so, it's been made clear that there's talent everywhere in the world and that the world has caught up (with the U.S.)."

The league increased international roster spots for teams from five to seven this year, and the two regular-season leading scorers - Malawian Temwa Chawinga and Zambian Barbra Banda - joined NWSL sides Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride.

That has led to fresh competition amid an upswing in viewership and attendance, as the league hopes to capitalise on the soccer mania that will hit the U.S. when it co-hosts the men's World Cup in two years' time.

The league was averaging crowds of more than 11,000 before the Olympic break, the highest of any women's soccer league, as Angel City FC finalised new ownership for $250 million, making it the world's most valuable professional women's sports team.

"We've broken every record and surpassed, I think, everyone's expectations for what this league can be," Berman said. "The most exciting part is that we feel like we're just getting started."

LEAGUE'S FATE

For much of the league's existence, its fate was intertwined with the U.S. national team in the public's eyes and on the financial ledger.

U.S. Soccer provided significant subsidies and the U.S. team's fourth World Cup victory in 2019 helped propel the league to a breakthrough year.

But Berman had a whole other reality to navigate when she took the reins two years ago, as the arrangement with U.S. Soccer had ended months before and the league was engulfed in a widespread sexual abuse scandal.

An inquiry found the NWSL, and U.S. Soccer failed to put in "basic measures" to safeguard players, as some of the sport's biggest names questioned whether the league was even worth saving.

Meeting with the players during the hiring process, Berman asked them a blunt question: "Is there a world where you could trust the league again?" The answer, to her relief, was yes.

"The thing I'm most proud of is the way that the players have joined me, us, our team of leaders, our owners to trust that it would be different this time," said Berman.

Despite Brazil's disappointment at losing their third Olympic women's soccer final to the United States on Saturday, coach Arthur Elias said his team should be proud of themselves while he is confident they can have a successful World Cup on home soil in 2027.

Brazil had a remarkable Olympic tournament after reaching the knockout stage as a second-best third-placed side before knocking out medallist contenders and hosts France and world champions Spain on their way to the gold medal match at Parc des Princes.

The South Americans had the US up against the wall in a narrow final contest in Paris, but ultimately failed in their bid for their first Olympic gold.

However, Brazil boss Elias has taken the positives after getting the team back on the podium following their quarterfinal exit at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

"I believe our team has great talent. It was an unforgettable Olympics for us, I was very emotional seeing them on the podium today," Elias told reporters after their 1-0 loss to the US

"I don't know what will happen in the World Cup, but today we have to lift our heads, we have improved, we have achieved a better result, we have picked ourselves up.

"Brazil will continue to be competitive and we have to believe in our players."

Elias also praised Brazil's all-time leading scorer Marta, who said she will retire from international football this year, adding that he is unsure whether he can convince her to change her mind and stay with the team until the World Cup.

"It's her decision. Obviously I'm not thinking about it now (trying to convince her to stay), the feeling of pride is what's inside me," the 43-year-old said.

"It's an incredible pride to have the privilege of working with someone who is the best ever at what he does.

"It's a great learning experience for everyone. Her attitude and dedication, the bond she has with all the athletes, the relationship of trust I built with her," he added about the six-time Olympian Marta.

Mallory Swanson scored the winning goal as the United States edged Brazil 1-0 in Saturday's Olympic women's football final to claim the gold medal for a record-extending fifth time.

Brazil fought hard on a hot afternoon at the Parc des Princes, but the USA struck just before the hour mark when Swanson -– on her 100th cap – ran through to finish past goalkeeper Lorena.

It is the first time the USA have taken the Olympic title in 12 years, their gold in Paris adding to those won in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

YOUR #PARIS2024 GOLD MEDALISTS 🇺🇸🥇 pic.twitter.com/vUNquAG5tn

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 10, 2024

"I am just in awe of how hard everyone has worked to get here," said the winger Trinity Rodman.

"I believed the entire time, but to finally be able to hold (the gold medal) is so amazing."

The USA have now beaten Brazil in three of those Olympic finals, with the South Americans again having to settle for silver here just as they did in Athens in 2004 and Beijing four years later.

It was not quite the ending that their legendary captain Marta was hoping for, as she bowed out of her sixth and last Olympics aged 38 with a third silver medal.

"We surpassed ourselves throughout the competition to get to the final. That was our main objective, to come away with a medal," Marta said.

Brazil were never expected to get this far, while the USA's victory confirms their renaissance under new English coach Emma Hayes.

She only arrived from Chelsea in late May but has worked wonders with a team that a year ago was sent packing from the World Cup in the last 16.

"I am very emotional. It has been a dream of mine to be in this position," Hayes told broadcaster Eurosport.

She described her team as "tremendous people and players and role models, I love them."

That World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand was the international swansong for USWNT icon Megan Rapinoe, who was among the crowd for Saturday's final, as was Tom Cruise.

Much of the talk in the build-up was about Marta, with the Brazil great free to return for a farewell Olympic appearance after serving a two-game ban for a red card in her team's last group outing.

But the 38-year-old multiple winner of the Fifa world player of the year award was left on the bench at kick-off by coach Arthur Elias.

A younger Marta had played in Brazil's defeats in the 2004 and 2008 finals, both of which came in extra time.

This was also the second clash between the nations in a final this year, after the USA won 1-0 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in March.

The USA subsequently welcomed Hayes as coach and she oversaw wins against Japan and Germany in the knockout rounds to get to the Olympic final.

MARTA'S FAREWELL

Brazil, meanwhile, scraped through their group as a best third-placed team, before wins against hosts France in the quarterfinals and World Cup holders Spain in the last four, both achieved without Marta.

Their direct approach posed problems to the USA defence in the first half, and they had the ball in the net on 16 minutes.

Ludmila turned Naomi Girma inside out in the box before finishing, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Swanson was denied at the other end by Lorena after bursting into the box, yet it was Brazil who had the best chance of the opening half.

Captain Adriana crossed in stoppage time for Gabi Portilho to divert the ball towards goal, but Alyssa Naeher saved well.

The Americans boasted the more dangerous attack, though, and they went ahead on 57 minutes when Korbin Albert released Swanson to advance and finish expertly for her fourth goal of the tournament.

Is this the goal the secures the gold medal for the USA? 👀

Mallory Swanson has America in pole position to be on the top step of the podium.

Even Tom Cruise enjoyed that one.

📺 Stream #Paris2024 live: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/Z5Dw0DdZaw

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 10, 2024

Brazil sent on Marta for the final half hour, but they never seriously looked like equalising.

The veteran sent a free-kick over the bar before Naeher kept out Adriana's header in stoppage time as the USA secured a third straight 1-0 win to take the title.

Thierry Henry was unable to leave the Olympics with the gold medal he craved but the France great has enhanced his reputation as a coach after taking the hosts to the men's football final.

France pushed Spain all the way in an epic match in Paris on Friday, eventually losing 5-3 and settling for silver having earlier recovered from 3-1 down to force extra time.

Now almost 47, Henry is a France all-time great after a playing career in which he won the World Cup and European Championship while also starring for Arsenal and Barcelona.

But he had struggled to make a name for himself in coaching and agreeing to lead his country into the Olympics at home was a risk.

Henry's hopes of building a squad good enough to win football gold for France for the first time since 1984 were compromised from the beginning.

Clubs are not obliged by FIFA to release players, which meant Henry was unable to call upon Kylian Mbappe, the France senior team captain, despite the superstar striker making clear his desire to feature.

Mbappe's new club Real Madrid said no, while hopes of enrolling the services of others such as Antoine Griezmann were dashed too.

Henry was left to mould a hotchpotch of players into a cohesive team, which he did with considerable success.

France beat Argentina in the quarter-finals and showed character to come back against Egypt in the semis.

Henry labelled his team "the crazy guys" and repeatedly said he was "living a dream" at the Olympics.

"It's been a great run, and we leave with a medal, so these will be great memories," he admitted.

NEW CHALLENGE?

It is just under a year since Henry was appointed France Under-21 coach and also given the task of leading his country into the Olympics.

That marked a return to the role of number one for Henry for the first time since his departure from Montreal Impact in early 2021.

Before that there was a disastrous three-month stint at Monaco, the club where he started his playing career.

Henry has also been an assistant coach with Belgium but had developed a better reputation as a pundit during television appearances in Britain, France and across the Atlantic.

His knowledge and his past experience on the pitch mean players are in awe of him.

"The coach was a great player so he has great experience and it is very easy to follow his advice. We know that everything he says is because he has been through it too," said Alexandre Lacazette, the captain of France's Olympic team.

Some of his comments while at Monaco betrayed a frustration with players who were inevitably below the standards he himself reached.

Now, however, Henry appears to understand how to get the best out of a team.

"They are educating me. There is stuff that at times I need to let go," he said of his France squad.

"They know already that I am not the type of guy that will be on their back every single second.

"When we work, we work, but other than that I would like to think I am pretty cool."

Henry's success in the dugout at the Olympics makes him a more enticing proposition to clubs and national teams on the lookout for a coach.

There have been reports that the United States would like him to lead their men's national team into the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host.

He has also been linked to the Wales job, although he remains under contract with the France Under-21 team until next year.

Not that Henry was in the mood for discussing his future following Friday's Olympic final.

"My future is to go to eat with the guys later on. Tomorrow morning hopefully I will wake up," was his laconic response.

France coach Thierry Henry described his team's Olympic performance as "magical" despite their agonising extra-time defeat against Spain in the men's football final on Friday.

"I told the players they had done something magical and that I was so proud of them. In the end we have medals. It didn't finish the way we wanted it to but it was still really an extraordinary evening," France legend Henry said after his side lost 5-3 in a classic match.

Enzo Millot gave France an early advantage at the Parc des Princes only for Spain to come back and lead 3-1 by half-time.

However, Maghnes Akliouche pulled one back and a last-gasp Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty made it 3-3 to force extra time, in which Sergio Camello scored twice for Spain to hand them gold.

"What is really important for me is that the team really fought. There really wasn't much in it in the end, so we can't say the team didn't fight, from the first to the last minute of every game," Henry said after France claimed silver, their first football medal since winning gold in 1984.

"I would have preferred to win, but we must still celebrate this. It is the first time in my life where I have lost a final but won a medal all the same," added the former Arsenal and Barcelona star.

"That is what is great about the Olympics. It has been an extraordinary human adventure. This team have earned my respect for life."

Spain star Fermin Lopez described his summer as "unbeatable" after he starred on their run to Olympic football gold having also played a part in their triumph at Euro 2024.

"We have had a great tournament. We deserved this and I am really proud of the team," said the 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder after scoring twice in a classic Olympic final on Friday, in which Spain beat France 5-3 following extra time at the Parc des Princes.

"The truth is that this summer has been unbeatable. I am so proud and really happy with everything I have experienced."

Lopez was included in Spain's squad for the European Championship in Germany after an outstanding breakthrough season with his club.

He made one appearance for Luis de la Fuente's team at the Euros, in which Spain beat England 2-1 in the final in Berlin.

Lopez then joined up with Santi Denia's Olympic squad, in which he was the outstanding performer with six goals, including five from the quarter-finals onwards.

Only Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi, with eight, finished the tournament with more goals.

Lopez scored twice and Alex Baena, another member of Spain's Euro squad, added a free-kick as their team came from behind to lead 3-1 at half-time in Friday's final.

France fought back to level at 3-3 and force extra time, in which Sergio Camello scored twice to seal victory for Spain, and their first Olympic men's football gold since 1992.

"We found ourselves in a difficult position on two separate occasions but the team fought so hard. I think we have a great team, a great family and you could see that on the field," added Lopez.

"The European Championship and Olympics are the first two titles I have won and I am so happy."

Barcelona kick off their season next weekend but, having been away on international duty for more than two months, Lopez admits he needs a short break.

"I always want to play, but a little week's holiday won't do anyone any harm. But just a week, and then I'll be back."

Substitute Sergio Camello struck twice in extra time to settle a remarkable Olympic men's football final on Friday as Spain beat France 5-3 to take gold after Thierry Henry's hosts had earlier staged a dramatic comeback.

It had looked as though Spain were going to run away with victory at the Parc des Princes in Paris when they recovered from conceding an early goal to lead 3-1 by half-time.

For the first time in 32 years, 🇪🇸 Spain are crowned Olympic champions 🥇

They beat France 5-3 in the gold medal match at #Paris2024 - the first time a team has scored FIVE in an Olympic final 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8GHPjhTNhK

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2024

Enzo Millot put France in front, but a Fermin Lopez brace and an Alex Baena free-kick turned the final completely on its head.

However, France staged a memorable comeback with Maghnes Akliouche pulling a goal back before Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a stoppage-time penalty awarded following a VAR review.

That took the final into extra time, where Rayo Vallecano forward Camello emerged as the hero by giving Spain the lead again in the 100th minute of an absorbing game, and then running away to seal their victory at the death.

Silver medallists in Tokyo three years ago, it is the second time Spain have won Olympic men's football gold after their victory in Barcelona in 1992 with a squad featuring Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

France had hoped for a second gold of their own, 40 years after winning in Los Angeles, but instead have to settle for silver.

The victory completes a glorious summer on the pitch for Spain's men after their triumph at the Euros in Germany last month. They also recently won the Under-19 Euros by getting the better of France in the final.

However, Henry's team can leave with their heads held high at the end of a classic match, the scenario of which recalled memories of the 2022 World Cup final which France lost on penalties to Argentina after a similar comeback attempt.

LOPEZ BRACE

The final drama began when France went ahead after just 11 minutes thanks to Millot, who collected a scuffed Baena clearance just inside the box wide on the right and tried a first-time shot that caught out Spain goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.

🥇 This is turning into quite the gold medal match at #Paris2024 😲 pic.twitter.com/gbL2MWdRM9

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2024

However, Spain came from behind to beat Morocco in the semi-finals, and they were level here in the 18th minute thanks to Lopez.

They strung together 26 passes in a move which culminated in Baena playing a ball into the middle for Lopez to finish.

Spain went ahead on 25 minutes when a Juan Miranda cross was not dealt with by the French defence and Lopez converted the rebound after Guillaume Restes had saved the initial effort from Abel Ruiz.

It was a sixth goal at the Olympics for Barcelona midfielder Lopez, who has had an outstanding tournament.

PENALTY DRAMA

The game had barely restarted when Spain won a free kick just outside the area for a foul on Miranda, and Villarreal midfielder Baena sent the dead ball over the wall and into the net.

France had to chase the game but Mateta was denied by a superb Tenas save in first-half stoppage time, and Manu Kone headed against the bar just before the hour.

Tenas, of Paris Saint-Germain, distinguished himself again by tipping a Kone shot around the post, before France eventually scored a second goal on 79 minutes.

Michael Olise delivered a free-kick from the right and Akliouche's touch took the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

That set the scene for what felt like inevitable last-minute penalty drama, with the referee initially giving nothing when Benat Turrientes wrestled Arnaud Kalimuendo to the ground.

He changed his mind after a VAR review, and Mateta converted the spot-kick to equalise in the 93rd minute.

🇫🇷 France and Spain 🇪🇸 are going for gold at #Paris2024

🥇 The men's gold medal match is now live! 🔗 https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc 📺 pic.twitter.com/2iwI7AAKLe

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 9, 2024

There was still time for Turrientes to hit the bar before the game moved into extra time, in which Spain went back in front, this time for good.

Adrian Bernabe released Camello and he beat Restes with a clipped finish to make it 4-3, before later running clear to score his team's fifth.

Germany secured the bronze medal in the women's Olympic soccer tournament with a 1-0 win over Spain thanks to a Giulia Gwinn penalty, while the world champions missed a penalty deep in added time at the Lyon Stadium on Friday.

Olympic debutants Spain were once again far from their best after their semi-final defeat and missed the chance to record their first win over Germany, who clinched their fourth Olympic bronze.

"We are just lucky to have won this game, it was an amazing experience here," Germany midfielder Marina Hegering said.

"I think we were the better team in the first half and the second was pretty tough, they had two chances but sometimes that's football and we got lucky today."

Germany, who lost to the United States in the semis, grabbed the lead in the 65th minute when Gwinn earned the penalty and converted after a foul by Spanish keeper Cata Coll.

Spain's former Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas squandered a chance to send the match to extra time as her penalty was saved by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger in the final seconds of the match.

"It is a really nice feeling. I don't know what just happened in 90 minutes. I have absolutely no idea. I just know we won the bronze medal, and that's the most important bit," Berger said.

"The belief from the coach (Horst Hrubesch) that every single person can actually do the job, I think that's why we won the bronze."

It was Hrubesch's final game at the helm.

"I was very tense, but I completely trusted my goalkeeper and knew she could save the ball and make it happen," the 73-year-old said.

"I don't think I will retire, but maybe I need to ask my wife."

Brazil are not thinking about their defeats to the United States in previous Olympic women's soccer finals, coach Arthur Elias said ahead of Saturday's gold-medal clash with the four-time champions.

Brazil, twice silver medallists, will be seeking a maiden Olympic women's title at Parc des Princes where they take on the US, who beat them at the 2004 and 2008 Games finals.

Elias does not believe the country's negative record against the Americans will work against them in their bid to upset the gold-medal contenders in Paris.

"Football deserves great games and we should stop whining and talking about the past," Elias told a news conference on Friday.

"We have new ingredients, new things to talk about rather than be thinking about the past. I'm not worried at all about what happened in the past. I feel we are close to our dream coming true and that our players will do their very best.

"We have a single focus. I see Brazilian women's football as a one with great players, able to reach finals and to win... we have nothing to do with what happened in the past."

Orlando Pride and Brazil midfielder Angelina said that playing in the American top-flight NWSL would help her and her teammates in their quest for gold.

"(The US) are a very talented group. We play against them in the NWSL so we know what they're capable of," she said.

"I think that helps us to play against people we know already, so we can study them better. It's not every day you get to play in a final, so we are all very excited with great expectations. We want to seize the moment. We want to enjoy it."

It will the final game for Brazil's all-time leading scorer Marta on a big stage after the 38-year-old announced she was retiring from international football this year.

"We want to give this medal to Marta. She really deserves to be playing at the final and deserves to have this opportunity to claim the gold medal," Angelina said of the six-time Olympian and her Orlando Pride teammate.

Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger saved a last-gasp penalty from Alexia Putellas as her team beat World Cup holders Spain 1-0 on Friday to take bronze in the Olympic women's football.

Giulia Gwinn converted a 65th-minute penalty in Lyon to give Germany the lead but Spain had the chance to force extra time when they won a spot-kick of their own right at the end of seven minutes of injury time.

However, former Ballon d'Or winner Putellas had her effort from the spot saved by the heroic Berger as Spain missed out on a medal on their debut appearance at the Olympics.

Berger had already been the star for Germany in the quarterfinal win against reigning champions Canada, when she saved two penalties in a shoot-out before converting the decisive kick herself.

It is the fourth time Germany have taken Olympic women's football bronze after 2000, 2004 and 2008. They won the gold medal in 2016, while coach Horst Hrubesch was also in charge of the men's team that won silver at Rio 2016.

Meanwhile, the defeat confirms a disappointing end to the tournament for Spain, who had come to their debut Olympics among the favourites for a medal on the back of their run to World Cup glory a year ago.

Led by reigning Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati, they underlined that status by completing the group stage with a 100 per cent record, but then had to come back from two goals down against Colombia in the quarterfinals before eventually going through on penalties.

Their hopes of gold went up in smoke in a 4-2 defeat by Brazil in the semifinals, setting up a play-off for bronze with a German team that lost in extra time to the United States in the last four.

Germany won a penalty just after the hour mark when Gwinn was clattered into by Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll just inside the box.

Gwinn stepped up to stroke in the spot-kick, and that looked to be that with Spain rarely seriously threatening Berger at the other end.

But then they were awarded a penalty of their own when Lucia Garcia was clipped in the area by Janina Minge.

With the game into its 99th minute, Putellas stepped up and struck the kick firmly, but Berger flew to her left to keep it out.

The USA face Brazil in the gold medal match in Paris on Saturday.

United States captain Lindsey Horan admits the presence of Marta will make Saturday's Olympic women's football final that bit more special as the legendary Brazil captain gears up for her last appearance at the Games.

"She is such an incredible player, an idol for me growing up and an inspiration for so many young boys and girls all over the world," Horan told reporters on the eve of the gold medal showdown at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

"Every time I face her I get so excited. We are pumped that she gets to see the field tomorrow."

Marta, 38, is appearing at her sixth Olympics and will return for the final after serving a two-match suspension for a red card picked up in Brazil's final group game.

That sending-off, for a reckless challenge on Spain's Olga Carmona, threatened to be Marta's final ever act at an Olympics.

However, having squeezed out of their group as a best third-placed team, Brazil shrugged off Marta's absence to claim an unexpected win over hosts France in the quarterfinals before stunning World Cup holders Spain in the semis.

"It is just a dream come true for us to be playing with Marta, to be able to get to the final and for her to be at her last Olympics with the chance to get the gold medal," said Angelina, the USA-born midfielder who wore the captain's armband in the 4-2 win against Spain in the last four.

Marta, a multiple winner of the Fifa World Player of the Year award, is hoping to bow out of the Olympics by avenging Brazil's defeats against the USA in the finals in 2004 and 2008, both games in which she played.

It remains to be seen if Saturday's game will turn out to be her last in international football entirely, or whether she could be tempted to keep going until the 2027 World Cup which Brazil will host.

"To witness what she has done on the pitch, for all of us who love the women's game she has been more than just a role model and an icon, she has been the best player over a long period of time," said USA coach Emma Hayes.

"What she has done for Brazil and for those women, you look at the generation coming through and the inspiration she has been to them. I am happy for her she gets the opportunity off the back of a two-game suspension."

The prolific Soufiane Rahimi scored twice and captain Achraf Hakimi netted a stunning free-kick as Morocco hammered Egypt 6-0 on Thursday to take Olympic men's football bronze.

Rahimi's brace took him to eight goals at the Olympics, cementing his status as the tournament's top scorer, while Abde Ezzalzouli, Bilal El Khannouss and Akram Nakach also scored in a comprehensive win at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

Hakimi's late strike put the icing on the cake as Morocco claimed a first Olympic football medal, and a first for North Africa.

Morocco hammer Egypt to secure the bronze medal ✅🥉#Paris2024 | #CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/EuqI0igQ09

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 8, 2024

Morocco, who beat Argentina in their opening group game and were eventually beaten by Spain in the semifinals, had already defeated Egypt in the final of last year's Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

That success was what allowed them to qualify for the Olympics, and they secured a medal in rampant fashion with Ezzalzouli, of Real Betis in Spain, putting Morocco ahead from a superb strike just inside the box midway through the first half.

And it's an absolute peach as well 🍑

Abde Ezzalzouli opens the scoring with a beauty in the Men's Bronze Medal match 🥉⚽

📺 Stream #Paris2024 live: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/VwfnG2ffEb

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 8, 2024

Rahimi made it 2-0 shortly after when he headed in a cross by Ezzalzouli, before the Atlas Lions ran away with the game in the second half.

El Khannouss curled a low shot into the bottom-right corner from just outside the box for the third goal, and Rahimi got his second to make it 4-0 when he controlled a pass by Ilias Akhomach before firing in.

Striker Rahimi, who has at least four more goals than any other player in the tournament, then turned provider for defender Akram Nakach to make it five.

However, Hakimi saved the best for last by finding the net with a missile of a free-kick from 30 metres three minutes from the end. That was Morocco's 17th goal in six matches at the Games.

Hosts France play Spain in the gold medal match in Paris on Friday.

In-form Spain believe they can end a 32-year wait for an Olympic gold in men's soccer when they face hosts France in Friday's final at the Parc des Princes.

Spain want to cap an outstanding summer where the senior and under 19 teams claimed the European championship titles, less than a year after also winning the Uefa Nations League.

Spain coach Santi Denia says his team are aware they are in the perfect position to secure the missing piece from their glittering trophy cabinet.

"We are delighted that we are a benchmark in Europe and the world, it is a job that has been done for years," coach Denia told a news conference on Thursday.

"We have improved and continued to work, believing in a model of play and a profile of players that represent us.

"If we have been waiting for the gold medal for so many years, it is a challenge and an additional excitement."

Captain Abel Ruiz echoed his coach words adding is a motivation for the under 23 team having not seen Spain's title back in 1992 at the Barcelona Games.

"We are motivated, we know that (the gold) is something very important for the country and for us," Ruiz said.

"It is something that could be historic and for which we have fought hard, we have been in the training camp for 40 days and it is a lot of effort. We are really looking forward to the final."

The decider will be not be unfamiliar territory for coach Denia, having led Spain to the finals of the Under-17 and Under-19 Euros, winning both, as well as the Under-21 European Championship and the Under-17 World Cup final.

Denia's squad is widely considered to be among the most talented group of young players to come through in recent decades, and players like Ruiz, Juan Miranda and Sergio Gomez, are hoping for one last triumph before graduating to the senior ranks.

"It's exciting after many years in the youth teams to come here to Paris to play in the Olympic final with them," Ruiz said.

"We have always formed strong groups. The key is to be a good team and in this tournament we have also achieved that."

Thierry Henry admits he doesn't want to wake up from his Olympic dream as his France team look to top off their campaign by winning gold in the men's football final against Spain on Friday.

"I think it's going to be difficult waking up. Every night I watch and get goosebumps when I see guys win," the 46-year-old France coach, who won the World Cup and European Championship as a player, said on the eve of the game in Paris.

"When we manage to come together we are a beautiful country, and I think we needed this after all that happened just before the competition."

France came into the Games mired in a political crisis with the far right at one point threatening to win power in legislative elections last month.

But it has shaken that off with a successful Olympics in which the host nation sits high up the medals table.

The likes of swimmer Leon Marchand and judo star Teddy Riner have helped lead France to a record medal haul, and Henry's team are guaranteed at least silver after beating Egypt in the semifinals to make it to Friday's showdown with Spain.

"This is a special event because normally you don't think about finishing second or third but for me the story is a success and now let's make it better," Henry said.

France's chances in the Olympics on home soil were hit by their failure to secure the services of superstar striker Kylian Mbappe and several other players who Henry hoped to include in his squad.

But he has built a team that won all three group games before edging out Argentina and overcoming Egypt in extra time to reach the final.

Now they will play in Paris for the first time since the tournament began as they aim to win their first football gold since 1984.

"We are only beginning to realise what is going on because we have not been in Paris," admitted Henry, part of the France squad when they won the World Cup as hosts in 1998.

Meanwhile Henry was full of praise for winger Michael Olise, who has been one of France's standout players at the tournament.

The 22-year-old, who has just signed for Bayern Munich after an impressive season at Crystal Palace in the Premier League, was born in London but has chosen to represent France at international level.

"He has enormous quality and I think you've seen nothing yet," Henry said.

"He could have gone to the Euros with England but he wants to play for France. It's his dream. I have enormous respect for that."

Thierry Henry's France are hoping a home crowd at the Parc des Princes can drive them on to win Olympic men's football gold but an impressive Spain side will attempt to deny them in Friday's final.

Henry, a France legend as a player, has led his country to the brink of their second football gold medal, 40 years after they won the title in Los Angeles.

That victory over Brazil came just a few weeks after the full French national team lifted their first major trophy by beating Spain on home soil in the final of Euro 84.

Just like then, the nations will meet at a packed Parc des Princes on Friday when a hostile home support will try to spur France on to victory.

They have already effectively fulfilled their objective by being guaranteed a medal, with Henry succeeding in moulding together a cohesive team after initially being met by a series of rejections from clubs unwilling to release their players.

Clubs have no obligation to let their players take part in the Olympics, where the men's tournament is reserved for those aged under 23 with the exception of three who are over-age.

Kylian Mbappe, the captain of the senior national side, wanted to come but was not allowed by his new club Real Madrid. Hopes of getting Antoine Griezmann onboard were quickly dashed.

The new Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram was initially in the squad before being obliged to return to his employer.

But Les Bleus have been expertly led by the experienced Alexandre Lacazette and his fellow forwards, the bruising Jean-Philippe Mateta and the flying Michael Olise.

They won all three group games without conceding a goal, before seeing off Argentina 1-0 in a fiery quarterfinal and then showing great character to come from behind and beat Egypt 3-1 after extra time in the last four.

"We have been talking about the Games for a year and a half now and finally we get to go to Paris," said Mateta, the Crystal Palace striker who netted twice against the Egyptians.

This may be the Paris Games, but so far Henry's team have played all their matches elsewhere around the country, in Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon.

GLORIOUS SPANISH SUMMER

Spain, meanwhile, began their campaign with a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in Paris. After easing past Japan in Lyon in the last eight, they had to come from behind to beat Morocco 2-1 in their semifinal in Marseille.

That victory in front of a hostile crowd, achieved thanks to goals by the outstanding Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez and the substitute Juanlu Sanchez, will give Spain confidence that they can handle the crowd and the pressure in the French capital.

"It's another atmosphere that I will like," Lopez, who has scored four goals at the Olympics after helping Spain win Euro 2024, told Fifa.com.

"In any situation, we can overcome anything. Now we want to get the gold."

Coached by the former Atletico Madrid defender Santi Denia, Spain are aiming for a second men's football gold after triumphing in Barcelona in 1992 with a squad including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

They were silver medallists in Tokyo three years ago, but Spain's record more recently across the board in international football is remarkable.

The men's senior side won the European Championship just last month, following on from the women's team triumphing at the World Cup last year.

Less than two weeks ago they were the winners of the Under-19 Euros, and now they can complete a glorious summer with gold.

Despite seeing their gold medal dreams dashed, Egypt and Morocco will be looking to cap their remarkable Olympic men's football campaigns with their first ever podium finish when they meet in the bronze medal clash in Nantes on Thursday.

Both teams have been outstanding during the Paris Games, as Egypt progressed as Group C winners before reaching their first semifinal in 60 years. Morocco, who topped Group B, reached the knockout stages for the first time.

Following a dramatic win on penalties over 2004 silver medallists Paraguay, Egypt came close to shocking hosts France in the semifinals, before a late Jean-Philippe Mateta goal sent the match in Lyon to extra time.

Egypt ultimately fell 3-1, but now have their sights set on a first Olympic medal coached by Brazilian Rogerio Micale, who led his country to their first gold back in 2016.

"We had a great performance. We kept France at bay for 80 minutes, which I think was superb," Micale said after Monday's loss.

"It hurts, but we have to keep our heads high and focus on playing for bronze. It will be very difficult, but we have to try to win. It would be a huge joy for me to win another medal for another country.

"I'm really proud to have been the manager of Brazil when they won their first football gold in Rio 2016 and now to be in a position to take Egypt to the first football medal match in history."

Morocco continue their rise in world football having reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, where they finished fourth after knocking out heavyweights Spain and Portugal in previous rounds.

Morocco, who thrashed the United States 4-0 in the quarterfinals, pushed Spain to the limit in the semifinal in Marseille, taking a first-half lead through Soufiane Rahimi, the tournament's leading scorer with six, who could become the first player to score in six consecutive Olympic matches.

Despite their 2-1 late defeat by the Tokyo silver medallists, coach Tarik Sektioui took the positives from his squad's performance.

"This was a good lesson for the young players on how to manage situations like that in the future," Sektioui said.

"Of course, we're very disappointed, but we have to move on from this defeat quickly because we have another match on Thursday. We still have a chance to win a medal, and we want to do just that for our country."

Brazil stunned World Cup holders Spain in their Olympic women's football semifinal on Tuesday, winning 4-2 to set up a showdown with the United States in the gold medal match.

An Irene Paredes own goal gave Brazil an early lead in Marseille and Gabi Portilho doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time.

Adriana made it 3-0 in the second half before a frantic finish saw Spain pull goals back via a Duda Sampaio own goal and a Salma Paralluelo effort, while Kerolin got Brazil's fourth.

🇧🇷 Brazil march on at #Paris2024, to try and do what they have never done before - win gold in the women's football event at the Olympics 🥇 pic.twitter.com/m1PTMQYH0c

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 6, 2024

Brazil are now guaranteed to at worst match their previous best showing in the Olympic women's football, when they won the silver medal in 2004 and 2008.

On both occasions they lost to the United States, who they meet again in Saturday's final at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

Meanwhile Spain, who are making their debut at the Games a year on from winning the World Cup for the first time, face Germany on Friday in Lyon in a play-off for bronze.

Brazil had scraped through their group as a best third-placed team, despite losing their last pool match to Spain, a game in which their legendary captain Marta was sent off.

She missed the quarterfinal win over hosts France as a result and was again suspended here, but Brazil ultimately did not need her in either game.

The sixth-minute opening goal was farcical, with Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll blasting a clearance off Paredes and looking on as the ball ricocheted into the net.

Portilho, who scored the only goal against France in the last round, converted a cross from the left to make it 2-0 to Brazil right at the end of the first half.

Adriana came off the bench to seemingly put the game to bed on 71 minutes, scoring moments after her first attempt struck the crossbar.

Duda Sampaio deflected a Paralluelo header into her own net as Spain reduced the deficit late on, but Kerolin slotted a fourth for Brazil through the legs of Coll to end any doubt about the outcome as the match headed into a lengthy spell of injury time.

Paralluelo made it 4-2, but it was a night to forget for Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati and her teammates, even if they could still leave the Olympics with a medal.

USA EDGE GERMANY IN EXTRA TIME 

Earlier, Sophia Smith scored the winning goal in extra time as the United States beat Germany 1-0 to advance to the final.

Smith settled a close-fought but generally poor semifinal in Lyon by firing past Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to finally break the deadlock five minutes into extra time.

The USA, record four-time gold medallists, were also grateful to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for a crucial late save from Laura Freigang and now head to the French capital for the final on Saturday.

#TeamUSA are through to the women's football final at #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/r3JUgFMr53

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 6, 2024

"I saw a little opening of net and I thought I've just got to put it there. It was a good feeling," Smith said of her goal.

"I had a few other chances in this game that I should have put away but sometimes one is all it takes."

Germany, who won gold in 2016, can still claim a bronze medal as they stay in Lyon for the third-place play-off on Friday.

The Germans had been the more accomplished side in normal time although quality was desperately lacking in the final third from both teams on a stiflingly hot day.

Emma Hayes's USA played at a level far removed from their clinical display in beating Germany 4-1 in the group stage in Marseille.

However, once again the quality of their attack made the difference.

"There were lots of things I didn't like in the game. I tried every situation to try to influence and affect that, but it's not about that. It's about heart and head," Hayes said.

"You have to dig something out. Our group want to create new history for themselves. They did enough to get us in the final, and that is just the next step."

NAEHER HEROICS

In Saturday's quarterfinal win over Japan, winger Trinity Rodman scored the only goal of the game in extra time.

This time it was Smith who was the match-winner, firing past Berger after being picked out by a Mallory Swanson through ball.

It was a third goal at the tournament for the Colorado-born forward who turns 24 on the day of the final -- her other two strikes came against Germany in the group stage.

Contrast that cutting edge with Germany, who were dealt a serious double blow ahead of the game when ill captain Alexandra Popp and the injured Lea Schueller, the two most prolific and experienced goal-scorers in their squad, were ruled out.

The Americans had chances in the 90 minutes, including from a late Lindsey Horan header that was kept out by Berger.

Swanson even had the ball in the net, although she was well offside and the flag was raised early.

But they found a way through in extra time, and Smith was then only denied a second goal by a good Berger save.

There was drama right at the death, with Naeher somehow saving at close range to deny Freigang an equaliser before Smith almost got a second.

The USA won the last of their four women's football gold medals at London 2012.

They claimed bronze three years ago in Tokyo and were also silver medallists in 2000.

Germany, whose coach Horst Hrubesch was in charge of the men's team that won silver in Rio in 2016, will now hope to leave with Olympic bronze for the fourth time.

Sights set on gold.🥇#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/k9kYy3tfRS

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 6, 2024

Belgian triathlete Claire Michel, who withdrew from the Paris Games mixed relay days after swimming in the River Seine for the individual event, said on Tuesday that E. Coli was not to blame for her illness.

Organisers have been testing the Seine water for elevated levels of the bacteria.

Michel's illness resulted in the Belgian team withdrawing from the triathlon relay. Details of her illness were not provided by Paris 2024 organisers or the Belgium National Olympic Committee, citing the athlete's right to privacy.

"I am gradually doing better and I returned home to Belgium today," Michel wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

"Blood tests showed that I contracted a virus (not E. Coli). After three days of vomiting and diarrhoea, which left me quite empty, on Sunday I ended up needing more significant medical attention at the clinic (in the Olympic Village)."

Sophia Smith scored the winning goal in extra time as the United States beat Germany 1-0 on Tuesday to advance to the Olympic women's football final.

Smith settled a close-fought but poor semifinal in Lyon by firing past Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to finally break the deadlock five minutes into extra time.

Sophia Smith: ⚽⚽⚽
Trinity Rodman: ⚽⚽⚽
Mallory Swanson: ⚽⚽⚽

They've scored nine of the USWNT's 11 goals at the Olympics 🫡 pic.twitter.com/v5oiPK15SX

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 6, 2024

The USA, record four-time gold medallists, will go to Paris for the final on Saturday against either World Cup holders Spain or Brazil, who play their last-four tie later.

Germany, who won gold in 2016, can still claim the consolation of bronze as they stay in Lyon for the third-place play-off on Friday against the loser of the second semifinal.

The Germans had been the more accomplished side in normal time although quality was desperately lacking in the final third from both teams on a stiflingly hot day.

Emma Hayes's USA, meanwhile, played at a level far removed from their clinical display in beating Germany 4-1 in the group stage in Marseille.

However, once again the quality of their attack made the difference.

In Saturday's quarterfinal win over Japan, it was right-winger Trinity Rodman who scored the only goal of the game in extra time.

This time it was Smith who was the match-winner, firing past Berger after being picked out by a Mallory Swanson through ball.

It was a third goal at the tournament for the Colorado-born forward who will turn 24 on the day of the final – her other two strikes came against Germany in the group stage.

Contrast that cutting edge with Germany, who were dealt a serious double blow ahead of the game when ill captain Alexandra Popp and the injured Lea Schueller, the two most prolific and experienced goal-scorers in their squad, were ruled out.

The Americans had chances in the 90 minutes, including from a late Lindsey Horan header that was kept out by Berger.

Swanson even had the ball in the net, although she was well offside and the flag was raised early.

But they found a way through in extra time, and Smith was then only denied a second goal by a good Berger save.

There was drama right at the death, with USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher saving at close range to deny Laura Freigang an equaliser before Smith almost got a second on the break.

The USA won the last of their four women's football gold medals at London 2012. They claimed bronze three years ago in Tokyo and were also silver medallists in 2000.

Germany, whose coach Horst Hrubesch was in charge of the men's team that won silver in Rio in 2016, will now hope to leave with Olympic bronze for the fourth time.