.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually a senior author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. women's nationwide team won the Olympic gold award on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in a video game that needed a stout protective fill in the 1st one-half followed by an accurate and computed rise in the 2nd to refuse Brazil and its own legendary leader Marta.It was a familiar finishing to an event that had actually been a great deal regarding what's brand new for the USWNT: A new trainer in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of attackers as well as a brand-new overview after the frustration of final summertime's Women's World Mug all harmonized together to lead to a record-extending fifth Olympic title, and also initially given that 2012, for the USA women, who never ever trailed at any type of factor in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the winning target in the 57th minute with a glossy end after running through on target, yet youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the ball-- and Sophia Smith, who intelligently fled coming from the stage show after realizing she was in an offside position, were actually the companies. The moment Swanson curled her shot past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's fourth goal of the competition, most amongst the Americans as well as matched for second-most among all gamers in the competition. South america, which had actually been in order for much of activity's early stages, remained to precipitate looking for a counterpoise however couldn't locate its method with. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her staff's most valuable gamer in the 1st one-half, carried out not permit an objective in the knockout rounds.The match was actually played on the same industry where the males's crews coming from Spain and France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a time previously, and ladies's groups began at a speed that at the very least mentioned a possible offending fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target provided a fifth gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a decision which was understandable-- the team had actually simply trumped France and Spain while she served a red-card revocation-- but still felt weird. And Hayes lost Flower Lavelle from her schedule in favor of Albert, a seeming nod to Lavelle's injury past history as well as the probability of added time. Obviously, it was a decision that worked out perfectly.As they did in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pressing. Inside two minutes, Ludmila had a close-range shot spared by Naeher, a very early wake-up call that seemed like an arrow dodged. Unbothered, South america always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and virtually pulled a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma as well as blasted a shot in to the web that was actually eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson as well as merely missed Ludmila along with a dangerous cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed seconds, too. Trio Rodman's magical twist at midfield sent her soaring towards target and Swanson utilized her velocity as well to pull a section however South america always really felt a lot more risky. Otherwise for Naeher-- that provided an enchanting reaction save of Portilho in first-half halt time-- the united state would certainly have been effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level as well as able to follow out along with greater urgency and also verve. Smith moved across contemporary of Swanson's reach and Sam Coffey that skided vast to get the united state crowd back right into it just before Albert found her room. A simple glimpse, a strong pass as well as Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and also what is anticipated to be her final global, came on at the hour but was actually constantly bottled up. 4 moments in to 10 mins of stop time, Adriana pushed a diving header at target coming from close range that Naeher-- again == swatted away.Marta placed her palms on her scalp. The American enthusiasts shouted in joy. One year after astonishing frustration, the USWNT was actually back.