.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually a senior writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state women's nationwide team won the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in a video game that demanded a stout defensive stand in the 1st one-half observed through a specific as well as estimated surge in the 2nd to deny Brazil as well as its own epic leader Marta.It was a common ending to a tournament that had been so much concerning what is actually brand-new for the USWNT: A new instructor in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of attackers as well as a brand new outlook after the dissatisfaction of final summer's Female's Planet Mug all meshed all together to result in a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and also initially since 2012, for the U.S. women, who certainly never routed at any sort of factor in their six suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining target in the 57th moment with a glossy end after running through on goal, but youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that provided the ball-- and also Sophia Smith, who intelligently broke away coming from the play after understanding she resided in an offside position, were actually the companies. Once Swanson curled her shot past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th target of the event, many among the Americans and tied for second-most one of all players in the competitors. Brazil, which had been actually in demand for much of game's onset, continued to push forward looking for a counterpoise however couldn't locate its method with. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's very most valuable gamer in the very first one-half, did not allow an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually played on the same area where the guys's teams coming from Spain and France played out an eight-goal standard in their last a day previously, and also females's teams began at a rate that at the very least meant a prospective offensive fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target supplied a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a decision which was actually reasonable-- the group had just beaten France and Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- yet still felt peculiar. And Hayes dropped Rose Lavelle from her lineup for Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's accident history and the probability of extra time. It goes without saying, it was actually a choice that worked out perfectly.As they performed in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside pair of minutes, Ludmila possessed a close-range shot conserved by Naeher, a very early wake-up call that seemed like an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, Brazil always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end line and almost attracted a penalty from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma and also blasted a fired right into the net that was actually dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and also merely missed out on Ludmila with a risky cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had instants, also. Trinity Rodman's magical spin at midfield sent her soaring towards objective as well as Swanson used her rate at the same time to pull a section yet South america always felt even more dangerous. If not for Naeher-- that provided an enchanting reaction save of Portilho in first-half stop opportunity-- the united state would certainly have been actually properly responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level and capable ahead out with better necessity and also verve. Johnson traversed just out of Swanson's range as well as Sam Coffey that skided wide to acquire the united state group back in to it prior to Albert located her area. A fast look, a stimulating pass and also South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and what is actually anticipated to be her last global, started at the hour yet was frequently repressed. Four minutes in to 10 minutes of deduction opportunity, Adriana pushed a diving header at objective from close quarters that Naeher-- once again == swatted away.Marta put her hands on her head. The American fans chanted in pleasure. One year after amazing frustration, the USWNT was actually back.