The men's and women's soccer tournaments at the 2024 Paris Olympics constantly served up entertainment.
There were goals, underdogs galore, and medal favorites showing their dominance in each match.
And for U.S. fans, it was the first time since 2008 they were able to cheer on a team in both tournaments.
The USWNT seems to be back to its best, while the Spain men's soccer team added to the country's recent success in the sport.
Medal count
Six soccer medals were awarded at the Paris Olympics and six different nations will take them home.
Men's Medalists
🥇: Spain
🥈: France
🥉: Morocco
Women's Medalists
🥇: USA
🥈: Brazil
🥉: Germany
Men's tournament
Spain claimed gold in the men's soccer tournament after its thrilling 5-3 win in extra time over host France. Led by Barcelona youngsters Fermin Lopez and Pau Cubarsi, Spain had an up-and-down group stage performance. It barely defeated debutants from Dominican Republic and Uzbekistan, then was taken down by Egypt and finished second in Group C. There was a different team on display once the knockout stage arrived in France. Lopez scored five goals including a brace in the gold medal game against France. If a Player of the Tournament award was given, Lopez would have without a doubt gotten his hands on that. Spain earned its second Olympic gold medal in men's soccer after winning its first at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Winning the final capped off what has been an incredible couple of years for Spanish soccer. The men’s senior team recently won the 2024 European Championship, while Spanish club Real Madrid also won the latest edition of the UEFA Champions League.
Runners-up France certainly had the tournament's biggest names and most dangerous attack after head coach Thierry Henry called up Alexandre Lacazette, Michae Olise, and Jean-Philippe Mateta to the roster. All combined for a total of eight goals in the tournament, and the hosts were also strong in the back with the center back partnership of Loic Bade and Castello Lukeba. In the end, the host nation narrowly missed out on winning gold on home turf, taking silver.
The bronze medal match pitted Morocco against Egypt — the surprise teams of the tournament. Both teams were playing for their first Olympic medal in men's soccer. At first, it seemed fans were in for a close match. But as the 6-0 score line for Morocco suggested — it wasn't much of a contest. Morocco captain and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was a constant threat on the right — a sight that was noticeable throughout the tournament, while the tournament's top goal scorer, Soufiane Rahimi, scored a brace in the bronze medal match. He scored eight goals in total in the tournament.
Another medal favorite, Argentina brought Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi and Geronimo Rulli as its three exemption players. Argentina was expected to top its group and make it to the gold medal final, but it was the opposite for the South Americans. First, the team failed to top Group B, setting up a clash with France in the quarterfinals. Then, Alvarez and company were unable to make an impact against France as the hosts did just enough to earn a 1-0 win. Argentina had to leave Paris without a medal.
The U.S. men's soccer team was able to bounce back from an opening 3-0 defeat to France by beating New Zealand, 4-1, and Guinea, 3-0, in the group stages. It was the perfect momentum for the U.S. entering its quarterfinal match against Morocco. However, the Americans were unable to ignite their attack despite a starring role from Kevin Paredes. And the defending struggled aside from veteran center back Walker Zimmerman. The U.S. lost 3-0 to Morocco and was sent home in the first round of the knockout stages.
The 2020 Tokyo champions from Brazil did not qualify for the Paris Games.
Women's tournament
Is it safe to say the U.S. women's national team is back to its best? According to what we saw at the Paris Games, it sure is.
The Triple Espresso trio of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman was on full display throughout the tournament. The caffeinated combo combined for 10 goals in the Olympics and they were instrumental in the USWNT's run to win gold.
In the final, the U.S. defeated Brazil 1-0 thanks to Swanson's goal in the second half. It was a similar display to what the USWNT went through in the knockout stages: earning hard-fought 1-0 victories against Japan (quarters) and Germany (semis). With Naomi Girma and Alyssa Naeher keeping things solid in the back, the U.S. only conceded two goals in the entire competition.
It’s also a remarkable accomplishment for new head coach Emma Hayes, who has only been in charge for about three months. She managed to not only introduce a new generation of players to the national team but also elevate the team's level of play to the elite level that U.S. women's soccer fans are accustomed to. The USWNT have not trailed in a match under Hayes.
For Brazil, it was an incredible run, especially for Marta. The soccer icon had an emotional rollercoaster of a tournament. She received a straight red card in the final group stage match against Spain, suspending her for the quarterfinal and semifinal matches. Still, Brazil was able to knock out France and Spain to reach the final, just in time for Marta's return. Although she and Brazil didn't win it, the team's contagious passion didn’t go unnoticed. Marta's silver marked the end of her incredible international career as she already determined she will retire from the Brazil national team after the Paris Olympics.
No. 1-ranked Spain met No. 2-ranked Germany in the bronze medal match. Spain, which won the Women's World Cup in 2023, was playing at its first Olympic women's soccer tournament, but wasn't able to bring home a medal after it lost 1-0 to Germany. Ann-Katrin Berger played some of her best games for her country as she was arguably Germany's top player despite being in goal. In the bronze medal final, she saved a last-minute penalty to ensure her side stood on the No. 3 spot on the podium.
France, which entered the tournament as one of the favorites, didn't really impress despite topping Group A. The host nation suffered an early exit in the knockout stages to Brazil, well short of a medal.
The biggest drama occurred off the field regarding the Canadian women's soccer team. Canada was deducted six points after winning its first game of the group stage against New Zealand amid a drone scandal involving the coaching staff. Head coach Bev Priestman was sent home. However, Canada seemed to use the adversity as motivation as the team went unbeaten in the group stages and managed to qualify for the quarterfinals despite the six-point handicap. Canada went toe-to-toe against Germany in the quarterfinal, but the Tokyo champions lost in a penalty shootout.