.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. women's national group gained the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in a game that required a stout defensive stand in the very first one-half complied with by a precise as well as calculated rise in the 2nd to refute Brazil and also its epic leader Marta.It was actually a known finishing to a tournament that had actually been a great deal concerning what's new for the USWNT: A brand-new instructor in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of opponents and a brand-new outlook after the dissatisfaction of final summer season's Women's World Cup all harmonized together to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and initially because 2012, for the USA women, who never ever trailed at any factor in their 6 suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the succeeding objective in the 57th moment with a glossy finish after running through on goal, yet young midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the reception-- as well as Sophia Smith, who wisely escaped from the play after realizing she was in an offside placement, were actually the facilitators. Once Swanson curled her shot past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise line and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth goal of the tournament, most among the Americans and also tied for second-most one of all players in the competition. Brazil, which had actually been in order for a lot of video game's beginning, remained to push forward searching for an equalizer however could not locate its way through. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her staff's very most beneficial player in the 1st half, performed certainly not allow a goal in the knockout rounds.The match was actually used the very same area where the men's teams coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their last a day earlier, and ladies's groups began at a pace that at the very least mentioned a prospective objectionable fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's goal delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile using Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a decision which was actually understandable-- the team had simply beaten France as well as Spain while she served a red-card revocation-- however still felt odd. And also Hayes dropped Flower Lavelle coming from her lineup for Albert, a seeming salute to Lavelle's injury background and the possibility of extra opportunity. Needless to say, it was a selection that exercised perfectly.As they performed in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians came out pushing. Inside pair of minutes, Ludmila possessed a close-range go saved through Naeher, a very early wake-up call that felt like an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, South america maintained happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe as well as almost attracted a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and also castigated a shot right into the internet that was actually dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and also just missed Ludmila with a harmful cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed minutes, too. Triad Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield delivered her soaring towards objective and also Swanson used her speed at the same time to draw a section yet South america constantly felt more risky. If not for Naeher-- who delivered an enchanting reaction save of Portilho in first-half standstill opportunity-- the USA would have been well responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled and also able to find out along with greater seriousness and sparkle. Smith crossed just out of Swanson's scope and Sam Coffey that swerved broad to obtain the USA crowd back right into it before Albert discovered her area. An easy glimpse, a heady elapsed and South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually counted on to become her last global, came on at the hr but was actually consistently suppressed. 4 minutes into 10 moments of discontinuance opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at objective from close quarters that Naeher-- again == knocked away.Marta put her hands on her head. The American enthusiasts shouted in joy. One year after astonishing disappointment, the USWNT was back.