Two goals from Sophia Smith lift US women’s soccer team past Germany

MARSEILLE, France — Sophia Smith scored twice to help the United States women’s national soccer team beat Germany 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics on Sunday night.

Mallory Swanson and Lynn Williams also scored for the Americans, who defeated Zambia 3-0 in the season opener.

The Americans are playing their first major tournament under new coach Emma Hayes, who took over the U.S. team at the end of May.

Hayes has been tasked with guiding the Americans as they attempt to move on from the disappointment of last summer’s Women’s World Cup, when they were knocked out in the round of 16.

The United States is the winningest team at the Olympics, with four gold medals. The Americans won bronze at the Tokyo Games under former coach Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped down after the World Championships.

Smith was forced to leave the game in the first half due to an ankle injury.

After ten minutes she fired in a cross from Trinity Rodman, which went past German goalkeeper Katrin-Ann Berger.

Giulia Gwinn equalized in the 22nd minute with a low shot from far outside the penalty area past the diving American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Swanson put the United States back ahead in the 26th inning. Berger hit a long-range shot from Smith, but Swanson tapped in the rebound for her third goal of the Games.

Swanson is the second player to score three goals in the group at the Olympics, following Abby Wambach in 2012.

Smith scored her second goal in the 44th minute with a high shot that hit the far post and slotted home.

Williams, a substitute, scored the final goal in the 89th minute and fans in Marseille chanted “USA! USA!” as time expired.

American defender Tierna Davidson was forced to leave the match with an injury and was replaced by Emily Sonnett.

German star Alexandra Popp left the field in the 76th minute with what appeared to be an injury to her right leg. It was a setback for Germany, who were already without midfielder Lena Oberdorf (knee).

The United States will play Australia in Marseille to close out the group stage. Germany, which defeated Australia 3-0 in its opening Olympic match, will play Zambia in Saint-Etienne.

Australia kept their hopes alive with a wild 6-5 win over Zambia in Nice. Michelle Heyman’s 90th-minute goal completed a stunning comeback as Zambia led 5-2 early in the second half, with Barbra Banda scoring a first-half hat-trick.

An own goal from Ngambo Musole in the 58th minute sparked Australia’s comeback, while two more goals from Steph Catley — a free kick in the 65th minute and a penalty in the 78th minute — secured a draw and a dramatic finale.

Racheal Kundananji scored twice for Zambia, while Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso scored in the first half for Australia.

In another key move, Momoko Tanikawa scored a goal from distance deep into injury time as Japan came back for a 2-1 win over Brazil in Paris. While in Nantes, superstar Alexia Putellas scored five minutes from time to lead world champions Spain to a 1-0 win over Nigeria.