.Sam Borden, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. females's national team won the Olympic gold award on Sunday, beating South america, 1-0, in a video game that called for a stout defensive fill in the first half followed through a specific and estimated rise in the second to refute South america and also its fabulous leader Marta.It was actually a familiar finishing to a tournament that had actually been a lot regarding what is actually brand-new for the USWNT: A new trainer in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of assailants as well as a brand-new outlook after the disappointment of last summer season's Female's Globe Cup all harmonized together to cause a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and also first since 2012, for the united state ladies, that never trailed at any point in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining goal in the 57th minute with a sleek end after running through on target, yet young midfielder Korbin Albert-- who supplied the ball-- and Sophia Smith, that intelligently broke away coming from the play after discovering she remained in an offside position, were the companies. As soon as Swanson buckled her try past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Voyage and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's 4th target of the competition, the majority of among the Americans and also tied for second-most amongst all gamers in the competitors. Brazil, which had been in order for a lot of game's onset, continued to precipitate searching for an equalizer yet could not locate its own technique by means of. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her staff's most valuable gamer in the 1st one-half, did certainly not permit an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually played on the exact same field where the guys's crews from Spain and France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their ultimate a day earlier, and also females's crews started at a speed that at least hinted at a prospective annoying rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's objective delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile using Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a decision which was actually logical-- the group had merely defeated France and also Spain while she served a red-card suspension-- however still really felt odd. And Hayes fell Flower Lavelle coming from her schedule for Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's injury history as well as the possibility of extra opportunity. It goes without saying, it was actually a selection that exercised perfectly.As they performed in their upset of Spain, the Brazilians visited pushing. Inside two mins, Ludmila possessed a close-range chance saved through Naeher, a very early wake-up call that felt like an arrow dodged. Unbothered, South america always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and also almost attracted a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma and blasted a shot right into the web that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson and also just skipped Ludmila with a harmful cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had minutes, too. Triad Rodman's enchanting twist at midfield delivered her soaring towards goal and also Swanson utilized her speed too to pull a section but Brazil consistently really felt even more harmful. Or even for Naeher-- who supplied a wonderful response save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance time-- the U.S. will have been actually well responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level and also able to follow out along with higher urgency and sparkle. Smith traversed just out of Swanson's reach and also Sam Coffey that skided vast to acquire the united state group back right into it before Albert discovered her room. A quick glimpse, an exciting pass and South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and also what is actually expected to become her last international, began at the hr however was actually consistently repressed. 4 moments right into 10 moments of standstill time, Adriana drove a diving header at objective from close quarters that Naeher-- once more == swatted away.Marta placed her palms on her scalp. The United States supporters shouted in merriment. One year after astonishing dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.