Football at Paris 2024 Olympics: USWNT vs. Germany – head-to-head record analysis
Sunday (28 July) will see the 36th meeting between the United States Women’s Soccer Team (USWNT) and Germany.
The pair come into this clash after opening their Paris 2024 account with thumping 3-0 victories, as the Americans beat Zambia while the Germans saw off Australia.
This top-of-the-table encounter could be the decider for who advances into the knockout rounds, making this an unmissable watch.
But just how do these two old foes match up to one another?
Ahead of Sunday’s showpiece, Olympics.com looks at their shared history over the years…
USWNT v Germany at Paris 2024: When was the last time these two met?
The last time these two sides came face to face was at the back end of 2022 when they played a double header in the States.
Florida hosted the first of those two games, where Germany took the lead courtesy of an own-goal from goalkeeper Casey Murphy.
The U.S. equalised through Megan Rapinoe with five minutes to go, but Paulina Krumbiegel’s last-gasp strike gave her side the 2-1 win.
Two days later, now in New Jersey, it was yet another three-goal game but this time in favour of the Americans.
Jule Brand gave the away side the lead, but a breathless two minutes shortly after the interval saw Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson's goals seal the win for the USA.
USWNT v Germany in 2022.
USWNT v Germany: Americans hold the upper hand
While Germany were long a dominant force in Europe, they’re yet to master the art of beating their Stateside opponents.
In 35 meetings between the two, it’s the four-time Olympic champions who hold the upper hand comfortably, winning 23.
Seven draws have been contested, with the Germans managing to get the better of the USWNT on just five occasions since 1991 when they locked horns for the first time.
Despite both being regular features at the Olympics – barring Germany’s 2012 and 2020 absence – this is the first time the pair will meet in the group stages of any major tournament, including the Games and the World Cup.
It is set to be the first time since Athens 2004 when they have gone head-to-head in the Olympic tournament, in which the USA won 2-1 in the semi-finals before topping the podium; Germany won bronze, beating Sweden.
The European side have only ever been Olympic champions once, back in Rio 2016, which also happens to be the only year in which the USA have never been on the podium since the introduction of women’s football at the Games in 1996.
Alexandra Popp v USWNT in 2022.
USWNT v Germany at Paris 2024: Schedule and how to watch live
All the action from Paris 2024 can be watched via media rights holders (MRHs).
Check out the listings for your local broadcaster here.