.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA girls's nationwide group won the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, hammering Brazil, 1-0, in a game that needed a stout protective fill in the very first fifty percent followed by a precise as well as estimated surge in the 2nd to refuse Brazil and also its own legendary captain Marta.It was a familiar finishing to a tournament that had actually been a lot regarding what's brand-new for the USWNT: A brand-new coach in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of assaulters and also a brand-new outlook after the dissatisfaction of final summertime's Female's Globe Mug all meshed with each other to cause a record-extending 5th Olympic name, and also first considering that 2012, for the U.S. females, who never tracked at any aspect in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining target in the 57th min with a sleek finish after running through on objective, yet younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- that provided the reception-- and also Sophia Johnson, who smartly fled coming from the play after recognizing she remained in an offside setting, were actually the facilitators. Once Swanson buckled her shot past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Voyage as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth goal of the tournament, the majority of among the Americans and tied for second-most one of all gamers in the competition. South america, which had been actually in command for much of game's onset, continued to precipitate searching for a counterpoise yet couldn't find its own method with. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her staff's very most useful gamer in the 1st fifty percent, performed certainly not make it possible for a target in the knockout rounds.The match was actually played on the exact same field where the men's staffs from Spain and France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their final a time previously, as well as females's teams started at a rate that at the very least meant a prospective offending fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target delivered a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a choice which was easy to understand-- the team had merely beaten France and Spain while she provided a red-card revocation-- but still felt weird. As well as Hayes fell Rose Lavelle coming from her lineup for Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's accident record and also the possibility of additional time. Obviously, it was a choice that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their upset of Spain, the Brazilians emerged pressing. Inside pair of minutes, Ludmila had a close-range try spared by Naeher, a very early cautionary tale that believed that an arrow dodged. Unbothered, South america maintained coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end line and nearly attracted a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma as well as castigated a shot into the net that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and also merely overlooked Ludmila with an unsafe cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had seconds, also. Trio Rodman's magical twist at midfield delivered her flying in the direction of target as well as Swanson used her rate at the same time to attract an edge however Brazil constantly experienced a lot more dangerous. Or even for Naeher-- who supplied a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance time-- the U.S. would certainly have been effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level and capable ahead out along with more significant necessity and also gusto. Smith went across contemporary of Swanson's range as well as Sam Coffey had a crack that swerved broad to obtain the united state crowd back in to it prior to Albert found her area. A fast glance, a stimulating elapsed and Brazil was reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually counted on to be her last worldwide, began at the hr but was constantly boxed up. Four mins in to 10 minutes of halt opportunity, Adriana drove a diving header at objective from close range that Naeher-- once more == whacked away.Marta placed her palms on her scalp. The United States fans shouted in joy. One year after incredible dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.