Brazil and US will compete for the gold
The US and Brazil won their respective semi-finals with a flurry of goals, and set a date for the final in three days.
Germany 1-4 Brazil
Germany played like Germany and Brazil played like Brazil, and it was the latter's free-flowing creativity that won the day. Birgit Prinz opened the scoring after ten minutes, and for much of the first half, Germany enjoyed possession and some good chances.
Formiga equalized just before the break, putting in the rebound off Marta's missed shot, and after that, the tide turned completely. Marta and Cristiane combined to slice through the German defence again and again; Marta scored once (53') and Cristiane twice (49', 76'), and in the end it was only surprising they didn't nab a few more.
US 4-2 Japan
The second semi-final followed a similar pattern, with the US getting off to a slow start, then coming from behind to win. In the 16th minute, Japan scored first, from a corner taken by Yukari Kinga and converted with precision by Shinobu Ohno.
The US didn't have many chances to speak of until late in the first half. Their first goal came on 41 minutes, thanks to good team work and clean finishing from Angela Hucles. Lori Chalupny's solo effort four minutes later ensured that the US had the advantage heading into the second half.
Having finally found their rhythm, the US thoroughly dominated the second half, and goals from Heather O'Reilly (70') and a second from Hucles (80') guaranteed their spot in the final.
Japan contrived a second goal out of nothing when, late in stoppage time, a scuffle in the area somehow ended with the ball in the net, but it wasn't enough.
The final and the third-place match will both be played on 21 August:
Germany v. Japan at 6 pm (Beijing time)
US v. Brazil 9 pm
