Team USA's women's teams in soccer and basketball both gained positive results on Tuesday as they strengthened their gold medal bids here in the Tokyo Olympics.
Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's soccer competition after a 0-0 draw with Australia, while its women's basketball opened its campaign with an 81-72 victory over Nigeria.
The US Women's National Team (USWNT) needed just a draw to qualify for the last eight after opening its group campaign with one win and one loss. The Americans managed to do just that, holding Australia to a goalless stalemate.
USWNT advances to quarterfinals after disappointing 0-0 draw
USWNT looked far from impressive in its final group match with Australia dominating possession throughout the match. The Matildas had 62 percent of the possession in the opening 15 minutes as they looked to grab the early lead. They had an excellent opportunity to go ahead in the 20th minute, but Mary Fowler's header ricocheted off the crossbar.
Alex Morgan thought she had given the United States the lead in the 33rd minute, but her goal was disallowed after a VAR review. Replays showed Morgan's elbow was just offside when she headed Kelley O'Hara's corner into the back of the net.
Both nations benefited from the draw result as USWNT and Australia secured their places in the knockout rounds. USWNT qualified after finishing second place in the group and will next play the Netherlands in the quarters. Australia advanced as the best third-place team and will next meet Team Great Britain in the last 8.
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Team USA continues dominance in women's basketball
Team USA got off to a strong start in the women's basketball competition at the Tokyo Olympics, beating Nigeria 81-72 in their first game of the tournament. It was a momentous victory for the Americans, who extended their winning streak in the Olympics to 50 games, dating back to the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona.
The frontcourt duo of A'ja Wilson and Brittney Griner led the way for Team USA, with both players registering impressive double-doubles. Wilson recorded 19 points, 13 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Griner wreaked havoc down low with 13 points and ten rebounds. Veteran stalwart Diana Taurasi was the only other player to score in double figures for Team USA with ten points.
The Americans are looking to make history in this event as they are gunning for their seventh consecutive gold medal. That will equal the USA men's basketball team's record of seven straight golds from 1936 to 1968.
However, the Americans will need to limit their turnovers if they are to accomplish that gargantuan feat. They committed a whopping 25 turnovers in their opening game, resulting in Nigeria creating 16 more shot attempts. That will spell trouble against better competition later in the Olympics.
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