.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state women's nationwide group gained the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in a video game that demanded a stout defensive stand in the first half adhered to through a precise as well as calculated surge in the second to deny South america as well as its own fabulous leader Marta.It was a known finishing to an event that had been actually a great deal regarding what's brand-new for the USWNT: A new train in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of attackers and also a brand-new expectation after the dissatisfaction of final summer months's Female's Planet Cup all harmonized with each other to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic name, as well as to begin with considering that 2012, for the united state girls, that certainly never trailed at any kind of factor in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the winning goal in the 57th minute along with a glossy finish after going through on target, however youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- who supplied the reception-- and also Sophia Johnson, who wisely fled coming from the stage show after understanding she resided in an offside posture, were actually the facilitators. As soon as Swanson curled her go past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth objective of the tournament, the majority of amongst the Americans as well as tied for second-most amongst all gamers in the competition. South america, which had been actually in demand for a lot of video game's onset, continued to precipitate searching for an equalizer but couldn't find its means by means of. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her staff's most valuable gamer in the first fifty percent, did not permit an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was used the exact same area where the males's crews from Spain and France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their last a time earlier, and women's groups started at a rate that a minimum of meant a prospective outrageous fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target supplied a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a choice which was logical-- the group had actually just defeated France as well as Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- but still felt odd. And also Hayes fell Flower Lavelle from her schedule in favor of Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's personal injury history and also the opportunity of extra time. Needless to say, it was a choice that worked out perfectly.As they did in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians came out pushing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila had a close-range chance spared by Naeher, a very early wake-up call that seemed like an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, South america kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on completion line as well as nearly attracted a fine from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma as well as whipped a shot right into the net that was actually eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson and also just missed Ludmila along with a dangerous cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed instants, also. Trinity Rodman's enchanting spin at midfield sent her soaring in the direction of goal and Swanson utilized her speed at the same time to draw a section yet South america always really felt a lot more dangerous. Or even for Naeher-- who delivered a wonderful response save of Portilho in first-half standstill opportunity-- the USA would certainly possess been actually well behind at the break.Instead, they were level and able ahead out along with greater seriousness as well as endurance. Smith crossed just out of Swanson's grasp and Sam Coffey that swerved vast to acquire the united state crowd back right into it prior to Albert found her room. A simple glimpse, a powerful successfully pass and also Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is anticipated to be her final global, started at the hr however was frequently bottled up. 4 moments in to 10 moments of discontinuance time, Adriana pushed a diving header at target from close quarters that Naeher-- once again == knocked away.Marta placed her hands on her head. The American followers shouted in joy. One year after extraordinary dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.