The easy sailing continues for USWNT in the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics. Another remarkable performance was delivered by the American ladies, thrashing Germany 4-1 to extend their winning streak in Group B. With the triumph, a few stars including Emma Hayes, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson kept their tradition of giving standout performances and successfully etched their names in the history books.

Interestingly, Sophia Smith opened the account just 10 minutes into the game, with moments later German’s Giulia Gwinn equalizing. However, things became worse for Die Nationalelf as Mallory Swanson scored and restored Hayes and Co.’s lead, with Smith completing her brace just before halftime.

Though it wasn’t much of a goal show in the second half, Lynn Williams, who came in as Smith’s replacement, got her name on the scoresheet in the last minutes of the game to make it four. Now, let’s circle back to the records that were created in this USWNT’s monumental win.

Individual brilliance from Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Emma Hayes vs Germany

Sophia Smith

Addressing the star of the match tonight, Sophia Smith found herself in the history books with just her opening goal. The Portland Thorns forward put aside the injury doubts, started the match, and became the 6th USWNT player to score a goal in both the World Cup and Olympics before the age of 24. Ahead of her on the list stands Tiffeny Milbrett, Alex Morgan, Heather O’Reilly, Mallory Swanson, and Tisha Venturini.

Interestingly, the Thorns standout’s heroics don’t end here. Smith has also become the third player in USWNT history to score multiple goals in a competitive match against Germany. Before her, Carin Jennings-Gabarra, who scored three goals, and April Heinrichs, who scored two, both accomplished this feat in the 1991 World Cup semifinal, leading the US to a 5-2 victory over the Germans.

Mallory Swanson

Among all of the USWNT’s attackers, it’s Mallory Swanson who deserves the pat on her back. In just two matches of the Paris Olympics 2024, the Chicago Red Stars forward has notched three goals and two assists. Well, finding the back of the net proved favorable as Swanson has become the second player in USWNT history to score three goals in the group stage of a single Olympics tournament. The last time this feat was registered by the legendary Abby Wambach in 2012.

Emma Hayes

Emma Hayes seems natural to be doing the national team job for the USWNT. Thanks to today’s victory over the Germans followed by the previous 3-0 win over Zambia, she has become the second coach in USWNT history to win each of their first two major tournament matches, following Anson Dorrance, who won all 6 matches during the 1991 World Cup. Can the ex-Chelsea boss break this feat? Time will tell.

Collective records achieved by USWNT vs Germany

Today was the first time the USWNT was trailing ahead of Germany by three goals within the first half of the game since March 1996. Furthermore, it is also the first time USWNT has found the back of the net against Germany four times in a competitive match. The last time Die Nationalelf suffered a defeat with a similar scoreline was in the 2008 Olympics semifinals vs Brazil.