No. 5 USWNT and No. 8 CanWNT clinch quarter-final berths at Paris Olympics

The GIST: The Olympic women’s soccer quarter-finals (QF) are set — and you can get in on the action by joining our 100% free bracket. Sign up and scroll on, the fun has just begun.

Who’s through: The No. 5 USWNT and No. 8 CanWNT are both through to the knockouts, with the Americans winning Group B after taking down No. 12 Australia 2–1 yesterday and the defending gold medalist Canadians overcoming FIFA’s six-point deduction, topping No. 22 Colombia 1–0 to finish second in Group A.

• Joining them in the knockouts are No. 1 Spain, No. 2 France, No. 4 Germany, No. 7 Japan, No. 9 Brazil, and Colombia.

• Unfortunately for Brazil, they’ll be without their fearless leader Marta for Saturday’s QF match against France after the soon-to-be-retiring captain was issued a red card yesterday, rendering her ineligible for the next game.

USWNT chemistry builds in final group stage game: Even with a quarter-final spot locked in before kickoff, head coach Emma Hayes opted for a nearly identical starting lineup for the third consecutive match, focusing on fostering team flow given the fast pace of the Olympic tourney.

• Forward Trinity Rodman opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, and midfielder Korbin Albert netted the game-winner (her first international goal), a moment of celebration for the 20-year-old who’s rebuilding her relationship with her teammates after sharing anti-LGBTQIA+ posts on social media earlier this year.

• The red, white, and blue are clicking at exactly the right time, but they sadly will be without defensive midfielder Sam Coffey for Saturday’s 9 a.m. ET QF against Japan due to yellow card accumulation.