Trinity Rodman's moment of magic ushers the USWNT into women's football semi-finals at Paris 2024
The United States Women's Soccer National Team (USWNT) are into the semi-finals of the women's football tournament at Paris 2024.
It marks the seventh time the Americans have reached this stage of the competition, going on to win the coveted gold on four occasions.
Up against a formidable opponent in Japan, it needed a real moment of magic to break the deadlock - and that is exactly what Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn combined to provide.
In the first half of extra-time, from inside her own half, Dunn sprayed a perfectly executed pass across the pitch and into the feet of her team-mate.
Having struggled to get the better of her opposing defender for 90 minutes, Rodman made no mistake this time, shifting into space and putting the ball into the top corner in emphatic fashion for the only goal in a 1-0 win (105'+2).
At 22, she became the youngest player to score an extra-time goal for the USWNT since Heather O'Reilly at Athens 2004.
It was a hard-fought contest between the two rivals, rich in history, with Japan fighting until the very end.
But ultimately, Hayes's patience with her players and reluctance to make too many changes paid off, with a mix of youth and experience proving to be the difference this time around.
The Americans will face Germany in the semi-final on Tuesday (6 August).