Summer Olympics

The gold medal in the 2024 Olympic Women's Soccer Tournament will be decided Saturday from the Parc des Princes in Paris when the United States squares off with Brazil.

It is the culmination of a tournament that's seen the Americans thrive with a youthful roster under new head coach Emma Hayes. The team advanced through the field unbeaten, including nail-biting 1-0 victories against Japan and Germany.

Brazil enters the finale with momentum on its side.

The team suffered two consecutive losses to Japan and Germany, in group play and looked to be out of contention to secure the gold medal.

A late surge, fueled by the desire to win Brazil's first Olympic gold medal in women's soccer and send the legendary Marta off with the biggest international tournament victory over her career, has them one win away from history.

Viewing Info

Date: Saturday, August 10

Time: 11:00 a.m. EST

TV: NBC

Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com

Current Odds

Brazil (+425)

Draw (+205)

United States (-110)

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Prediction

This will be the third time that the United States and Brazil match up in the Olympic finals, with the previous two coming in 2004 and 2008. The United States won both matchups.

It is also the seventh time the two will clash in the knockout rounds of a major tournament, meaning the two countries are no strangers to each other in high-pressure matches.

The United States has already played a lot of soccer in Paris, an hour more than Brazil according to NBC Sports. Head coach Emma Hayes has not made a habit of rotating the starting lineup and making heavy use of her bench either, meaning the same starters have played the majority of the tournament's games.

Henry Bushnell of Yahoo wrote of Hayes showing her team video of ultramarathoner Courtney Dauwalter discussing "pain caves" and the amount of suffering that goes into excelling in a grinding sport.

"[If] she can do that, more than 100 miles in 26 hours, we can dig deep in here," Hayes said.

She continued, "I want them to suffer. I want them to have that moment. 'Cause I do not believe you can win without it. And I haven't had long enough with this group to get that yet. And I want to see who they are when it's hard."

That decision may rear its head late in the game when exhaustion sets in. The team was built for situations exactly like this, though, with its youthfulness likely a deciding factor in Hayes' decision to ride it out with the players on the field.

They will need to find some scoring, though, after each of the last two games went to extra time and ended with one goal scored apiece.

Conversely, Brazil's most pertinent coaching decision revolves around Marta and whether she starts the game or comes off the bench. She is a legend in the sport and one of the greatest players to grace the game, so the idea of asking her not to start the final game of her international playing career is a huge ask of head coach Arthur Elias.

It is nearly impossible not to notice how much better the team was in her absence, though. Brazil defeated two teams in France and Spain that were, by all accounts, better than them all tournament long. They found momentum and on-field chemistry and put up four goals on La Roja, shocking the world and cashing their ticket to the gold medal game.

Does the coach dare interrupt what the team has going to start Marta?

Potentially, if it means achieving something the country never has, despite generations of success in the sport.

Brazil dismantled Spain, one of the tournament favorites. They have purpose and momentum on their side.

This United States team has a legacy of its own to write and a coach looking to set the tone for her time at the helm of the international squad.

With one game left, the Americans dig down and pull out another dramatic victory to claim gold and leave France once again the team to beat.

USA defeats Brazil 2-1 in ET

After surviving a scare against Nikola Jokić and Serbia on Thursday, Team USA advanced to the gold-medal game against France, where it will look to earn a fifth-straight gold medal.

The 2024 Olympics have seen Team USA return to its dominant self after the United States struggled a bit in Tokyo in 2021. Team USA cruised through the group phase, beating Serbia, South Sudan and Puerto Rico with ease. It then dominated Brazil 122-87 in its quarterfinal matchup.

Team USA mounted a double-digit comeback in the semifinals against Serbia behind Steph Curry's 36 points and a LeBron James triple-double to keep its gold-medal hopes alive.

France's path to the gold-medal game hasn't been as smooth, as it lost to Germany in the group phase and has narrowly gotten through its quarterfinal and semifinal matchups. Team USA will be France's toughest challenge yet, but if it can pull off the upset it will mean the French have claimed their first gold medal ever in men's basketball.

Gold-Medal Game

United States vs. France, Saturday, Aug. 10, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Bronze-Medal Game

Germany vs. Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 5 a.m. ET, Peacock

United States vs. France

This game will be a rematch of the Tokyo gold-medal game, though both squads have added some talent over the last few years.

The United States brought a respectable roster to the 2021 Olympics, but it doesn't compare to this year's group. Many have said this year's team is the greatest Team USA ever assembled, even better than the 1992 Dream Team and 2008 Redeem Team. Can they prove that with a dominant win over a solid French team?

As for France, it boasts a roster that contains NBA talent, highlighted by rising star Victor Wembanyama and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

Wembanyama has been the star for France, averaging 13.8 points, 10.2 boards and 3.6 assists per game, leading the team in all three of those categories. Gobert, as much NBA success as he's had, hasn't gotten the minutes some might expect, playing just 14.4 minutes per game in the Olympics.

That could change on Saturday as he has plenty of experience playing members of Team USA.

A side-by-side comparison of these two teams shows that Team USA has much more talent, but France will hope it can rely on its cohesion as a group and a different style of play than the United States is familiar with to gain an upper hand.

Even though France has some NBA talent, Team USA should fare well on Saturday and win a fifth consecutive gold medal.

Prediction: United States 98, France 84

Serbia vs. Germany

After giving Team USA a scare in the semifinals, Serbia seems to be in a good position to earn a bronze medal and leave Paris with something to show for.

Serbia has looked like one of the best teams in Paris, losing just two games, both to the United States, and getting an impressive win over a tough Australia team. Like France, Serbia has a handful of NBA players, the most notable being three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. It also has a talented scorer in Bogdan Bogdanović, who put up 20 points against Team USA on Thursday.

But Germany has plenty of NBA talent of its own with players like Franz and Mo Wagner, Dennis Schröder and Daniel Theis. That group has led Germany to a solid showing at the Olympics, with its only loss being to France in the semifinals.

Serbia and Germany will be pretty evenly matched, but Jokić gives his squad a slight edge. It should be a competitive bronze-medal game with Serbia sneaking away late.

Prediction: Serbia 90, Germany 83

The 2024 Olympic Closing Ceremony will take place from The Stade de France on Sunday, bringing an end to the international games that saw medals awarded, records shattered, and the best athletes in the world show out on the grandest stage the world of sports has to offer.

As was the case with the opening ceremonies, the closing is sure to feature some Hollywood flare as France hands off the baton to the United States and Los Angeles, hosts of the 2028 Olympics.

When and where can you find the ceremonies?

Find out with this preview, which also includes which two American athletes will represent the country as flag bearers and what global superstars are linked to performing at the event.

Viewing Info

Date: August 11, 2024

Time: 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. EST

TV: NBC

Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com

Flag Bearers and Entertainers

Swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead will serve as flag bearers for the event.

Ledecky became the most decorated Olympic swimmer ever with her four medals (two gold, silver, bronze) at this year's games. She ranks fifth among all Olympians with 14 total medals.

She won the women's 800m freestyle for the fourth consecutive Olympic games.

Mead led the men's rowing team to its first gold medal since the 1960 games.

Both Ledecky and Mead were voted on by their fellow American athletes to have the honor of hoisting the stars and stripes to close out two-week extravaganza.

Mead said of the honor, "My experience at the Paris Games has been the dream of a lifetime and I'm filled with immense pride, gratitude and joy. I also wish to thank the city of Paris, and the entire country of France, for hosting an incredible Games. I'll cherish these memories forever."

Dominic Patten of Deadline reported that Tom Cruise is one of several Hollywood celebrities expected to attend the ceremony. " Already a presence at the Opening Ceremony and at some competitions, the Mission: Impossible star will be dropping in — literally — when the Olympic flag is handed over the 2028 games host city, source close to events have told Deadline."

He continued, "Details of the Closing Ceremony are a closely held secret, but it known that L.A. Mayor Karen Bass to receive the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. "Expect a major Hollywood production," a well-positioned source tells Deadline"

Matt Donnelly of Variety reported that Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will perform at the ceremony, too, as organizers attempt to put a California touch on the proceedings.

The ceremony promises to blend superstardom from the entertainment capital of the world with the stars of their respective sports, all of whom took a worldwide viewing audience on an unforgettable ride over the two weeks of spirited competition in France.

France and Spain will clash Friday in the finale of the Olympic Men's Soccer tournament, a battle between the two best teams throughout the two-week tournament.

Both teams tout explosive offenses capable of putting the ball in the net, seemingly at will, while France possesses a defense that has conceded just one goal all tournament long. It will be a showdown of strengths on one of the grandest stages in international play.

Find out when and where to watch the high-stakes game, as well as the players who will undoubtedly influence the outcome, with this preview of the gold medal match-up.

Viewing Info

Time: 12:00 p.m. EST

TV: USA Network, Telemundo

Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, fuboTV

The Match-Up

Each team features a top scorer in these Olympics.

Fermin Lopez of Spain found the goal four times and added an assist while France's Jean-Philippe Mateta also scored four goals.

Both are potent scorers and instrumental in their team's ability to put a game out of reach early and often. That should not change in Friday's game but it may be another French player who proves the difference in the titanic clash.

Michael Olise has scored twice but more importantly, is responsible for four assists, proving he is an excellent setup man.

Mateta and Olise make for a one-two punch that has been difficult for any opposing defense to contain, let alone stop. They rank third and fifth, respectively, in Olympic scoring and the latter's ability to find the open scorer has proven instrumental in the host country's unbeaten run through the tournament.

Spain has the offense to score right along with the French, thanks to the fueling efforts of Lopez. The 21-year-old has been one of the two or three best players in the tournament and figures to be a face of Spanish soccer for years to come.

He is an extraordinary shooter who manages to find the net from various spots on the pitch. That he can score with his right and left foot makes him that much dangerous at a very young age.

The question is whether they can penetrate a defense that has been stellar all tournament long, giving up its first goal in the semifinal round against Egypt.

The difference may ultimately be the La Roja's ability to hold up defensively.

The team has given up a goal in every one of their matches in this tournament except for their quarterfinal round win over Japan. The team has been caught with players out of place, either due to poor schematics or a lack of attention, allowing free scoring opportunities for the opposition.

If that happens Friday, France will exploit it early and often en route to the country's first gold medal since the 1984 games in Los Angeles.

Team USA skateboarder Nyjah Huston took home his first Olympic medal by earning bronze in the men's street competition at the Paris Games, but he's not entirely happy with his new hardware.

Per TMZ, Huston took to Instagram to show how it hasn't taken very long for the medal to look worn out.

"They look great when they're brand new, but after letting it sit on my skin with some sweat for lil' bit and letting my friends wear it over the weekend, they're apparently not as high quality as you would think," he said.

The medals at the Paris Olympics have a piece of the Eiffel Tower embedded in them to honor the host city, and that appears to be the only part of Huston's medal that hasn't deteriorated.

"I mean look at that thing," Huston said. "It's looking rough! Even the front is starting to chip off a little. I don't know. Olympic medals, maybe step up the quality a little bit."

Huston, a street skateboarding legend, placed seventh in his first Olympics at the Tokyo Games in 2021. The 15-time X Games gold medalist added to his legacy this summer, but it looks like his Olympic medal won't have a standout spot on his mantle when he returns home from Paris.

After testing positive for COVID-19, Noah Lyles' run in the Paris Olympics has officially come to an end.

Lyles, who was scheduled to compete in the 4x100-meter relay for Team USA on Friday, announced on social media that he would sit out the remainder of the Paris Olympics.

Lyles' positive test was revealed after he came up short in the men's 200-meter final on Thursday, finishing in third place to earn a bronze medal. After the race, the 100-meter dash gold medalist was seen struggling to catch his breath and had to be taken off the track in a wheelchair.

"I tested positive around 5 a.m. Tuesday morning," Lyles said in the media mixed zone while wearing a black KN95 mask, per ESPN's Coley Harvey. "I woke up in the middle of the night just feeling really chills, aching, sore throat. And those were kind of a lot of the symptoms I've always had right before getting COVID, and I was just like, 'I need to test this one.'"

Following the positive result, Lyles was quarantined at a hotel near the Olympic Village and received medical treatment. He said he kept his diagnosis a secret for multiple reasons.

"One, we didn't want everybody to go into a panic; we wanted them to be able to compete," Lyles said. "And then two, we wanted to be able to make it as discreet as possible. And you never want to tell your competitors you're sick. Why would you give them an edge over you?"

Letsile Tebogo of Botswana took home the gold medal after running an African-record 19.46 in the 200-meter. Lyles' Team USA teammate Kenny Bednarek earned the silver medal.

Courtney Lindsey replaced Lyles on the anchor leg in Team USA's 4x100 semifinal win on Thursday, so he would presumably take the spot vacated by Lyles in Friday's final.

After spearheading an exciting 17-point comeback victory over Serbia to send Team USA to the gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics, star point guard Stephen Curry couldn't help but marvel at the team's performance on Thursday.

"For all of us being superstars and Hall of Famers on our respective teams and what we've all accomplished, the buy-in is there and it's the only way you can do it to win," Curry said after Team USA's 95-91 win, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "To come back the way we did, I've seen a lot of Team USA Basketball, and that was special."

Playing in the first Olympics of his legendary career, Curry had his best performance of the Paris Games by pouring in a game-high 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field with nine three-pointers. He said afterward that his first Olympics experience has already been a memorable one:

Along with fellow former NBA MVPs LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, the 36-year-old put on a scintillating show in the fourth quarter to help Team USA avoid a massive upset loss that would've ended its streak of four straight Olympic gold medals.

Thursday's comeback win sets up a a rematch of the 2021 Olympic final against France in the gold-medal game on Saturday. It can be expected that Curry will be looking to dominate once again as he tries to win an Olympic gold.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is ready to contribute in any way she is needed.

The 25-year-old won her second individual Olympic gold medal on Thursday in the 400m hurdles with an Olympic and world-record time of 50.37. She defended her title in the event from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has a third Gold medal for her contribution to the 4x400m relay team in 2020.

With that event nearing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, McLaughlin is letting her availability be known.

"I'm always here," McLaughlin-Levrone said, per the Associated Press. "if they need me."

Some of the projected participants for the U.S. are Kaylyn Brown, Aaliyah Butler, Kendall Ellis, Quanera Hayes and Alexis Holmes. However, McLaughlin's record-setting performance makes quite the case.

She was on the U.S. team that won gold in the event at the 2019 and 2022 World Championship. Additionally, she defeated Femke Bol, who helped the Netherlands knock off the U.S. in the 4x400m mixed relay, in the 400m hurdles, so McLaughlin could have an edge over the rival.

The U.S. has won the event in seven straight Olympic games. Heat 1 is set for 4:40 a.m. ET on Friday while the final is set for Saturday at 3:14 p.m.