The Olympic Games are in their final stages and there are only four teams left vying for three spots on the podium. The U.S. women’s national team, Spain, Germany and Brazil are all competing for a spot in the gold medal game on Tuesday. Everyone will compete for a medal in some capacity, but only three teams will take home hardware, so where did all twelve land in our power rankings?
Check out our rankings heading into the semi-finals:
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1. |
Spain |
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The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions have been put to the test at the Olympics and have been answered every time. Small score lines are still wins, and perhaps the team may not be a more patient, confident team at this point. |
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2. |
United States |
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Trinity Rodman is currently holding a Golden Ball type tournament as her teammates compete for the Golden Boot. Head coach Emma Hayes and the squad will be competing for medals regardless of the outcome of the tournament, and it’s an overachievement for a program that is regaining confidence as they get back on track. |
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3. |
Germany |
+3 |
The Germans achieved their success in the tournament with a decisive final group match against Zambia and eliminating the gold medalists from Tokyo, Canada, in the quarter-finals. Goalkeeper Ann Katrin Berger put in a luminous performance during a penalty shootout, and the team could peak at the right time. |
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4 |
Brazil |
+4 |
The team has been on a rollercoaster during their Olympic campaign. Let a lead slip against Japan, sneak into the quarter-finals in third place, lose Marta to suspension with a red card in the final group match and cause unrest in the quarter-finals by eliminating tournament hosts France. Gaby Portilho will need another big performance in front of goal if they are to reach the gold medal match. |
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5. |
Japan |
-1 |
They played the United States in the quarterfinals, but were eliminated in extra time. Another step in the right direction for the national team program, but it will have to continue to improve if they want to progress in future cycles. |
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6. |
Colombia |
+1 |
Managed part of the tournament without Mayra Ramirez due to a two-match ban with a red card and provided plenty of drama against Spain, but could not close out the quarter-final against the world champions. The program can boast two consecutive quarter-final appearances in major global tournaments, but the federation will need to maintain resources to remain competitive. |
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7. |
Canada |
-4 |
The players made valiant efforts while the federation was dealing with an espionage scandal. Dronegate aside, the reigning gold medalists rallied back-to-back for a quarter-final match despite a six-point deduction, and now that they have been eliminated, the federation has until the 2027 World Cup to determine its next steps. |
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8. |
France |
-4 |
Once considered a gold medal contender, the tournament hosts were eliminated in the quarterfinals. The federation gave Herve Renard 18 months with the women’s national team and they achieved the same result as in several previous international cycles. Their next coaching appointment will need to be decisive and a role that not only continues the development, but also changes the culture and breaks through to a title. |
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9. |
Australia |
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Never really got off the ground during the Olympics, with a lopsided defeat to Germany, a wild 6-5 win against Zambia and a 3-1 defeat to the United States. Their one group win wasn’t enough to progress to the knockouts and now Tony Gustavsson has been eliminated as head coach. Three fourth places at two Olympic Games and a World Cup elimination in a group stage: could it be time for a program renewal? |
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10. |
Nigeria |
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The Super Falcons played their opponent’s touch but only scored one goal throughout the entire group stage. It simply wasn’t enough, and it’s a reflection of the lack of support from the federation to ensure the talent on the roster is adequately resourced to compete at the highest level. |
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11. |
Zambia |
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The Copper Queens were eliminated in the group stage of their second Olympic appearance, but Barbra Banda continues to make history with the team. She scored her third ever hat-trick at an Olympic Games and leaves with ten all-time Olympic goals from her tournament appearances. |
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12. |
New Zealand |
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The Football Ferns were spied on by Canada and their Olympics were full of headlines about it. They were eventually eliminated, battling other opponents until the final group match and struggling to advance in another major tournament. |
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