2024 Olympics: Germany advance, Zambia knocked out despite Barbra Banda heroics | OneFootball

A brace from Lea Schüller guaranteed Germany their spot in the 2024 Olympics quarter-finals in a convincing 4-1 win over Zambia. Barbra Banda continued to shine for the Copper Queens as she bagged her fourth goal in just three games.

Despite Banda’s heroics and history-making this tournament, it wasn’t enough to see Zambia into the knockouts. They finish bottom of their group, having failed to bank a single point in devastating fashion.

Starting XIs

Zambia

Musole; Mweemba, Siamfuko, Zulu, Lubandji, Mupopo, Banda, Tembo, Chanda, Kundananji, Nachula

Germany

Berger, Hendrich, Schulze-Solano, Minge, Schüller, Nüsken, Popp, Gwinn, Brand, Bühl, Rauch

How it went

Germany got the game off to a bright start with Lea Schüller breaking the deadlock in the tenth minute. The Germans had enjoyed the better start to the game, dominating much of the possession. The remainder of the opening half passed with neither side able to add to the scoreline.

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Just moments after play resumed, Klara Bühl doubled Germany’s lead. The goal gave Germany a comfortable two-goal lead over their opponents, but Zambia struck in the 49th minute to see Banda shine once again.

A second for Schüller in the 61st minute restored Germany’s two-goal lead after a good spell of play. Elisa Senss rounded out the goalscoring action in injury time as she assured Germany’s place in the final eight.

Knockout stages

Germany’s second-place finish in Group B will see them face Canada in the quarter-finals. Horst Hrubesch’s side dropped just three points in their group stage fixtures, suffering a bruising 4-1 loss against the USA.

For Zambia, the defeat spells the end of their Olympic journey. Group B was always likely to be a tough ask for the nation, with all three of their opponents ranked at least 50 places higher in the world rankings. Their performance against Australia, however, was a perfect demonstration of the Copper Queens’ ability on the global stage.

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