.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA ladies's nationwide staff succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in an activity that demanded a stout defensive stand in the 1st half observed through a precise as well as calculated rise in the 2nd to refute South america and its own legendary captain Marta.It was a known finishing to a tournament that had been actually so much concerning what's brand new for the USWNT: A brand new train in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of enemies and also a brand-new overview after the frustration of last summertime's Female's Planet Cup all harmonized with each other to result in a record-extending 5th Olympic title, as well as initially since 2012, for the USA girls, who certainly never routed at any factor in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the succeeding goal in the 57th min along with a glossy finish after going through on target, yet younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- who delivered the ball-- and Sophia Smith, who wisely fled coming from the stage show after recognizing she was in an offside posture, were actually the companies. The moment Swanson curled her try past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Trip and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's 4th objective of the competition, a lot of one of the Americans and also matched for second-most among all players in the competition. Brazil, which had been actually in demand for a lot of video game's beginning, remained to push forward seeking a counterpoise however could not discover its own method via. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's very most useful gamer in the very first fifty percent, performed not enable an objective in the knockout rounds.The match was actually used the exact same field where the males's crews from Spain and France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their last a time previously, and also girls's crews began at a rate that a minimum of hinted at a potential objectionable rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's target delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a selection which was actually easy to understand-- the team had merely defeated France as well as Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- yet still really felt unusual. As well as Hayes fell Rose Lavelle coming from her lineup for Albert, a seeming nod to Lavelle's personal injury history and also the possibility of extra time. It goes without saying, it was a decision that worked out perfectly.As they did in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians emerged pushing. Inside pair of mins, Ludmila had a close-range chance spared by Naeher, a very early wake-up call that felt like an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, South america always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and also almost attracted a fine coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma and also castigated a shot right into the internet that was ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson and simply skipped Ludmila along with a risky cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had instants, as well. Trinity Rodman's magical spin at midfield delivered her soaring in the direction of goal and also Swanson utilized her velocity at the same time to draw an edge but South america consistently experienced a lot more harmful. If not for Naeher-- who delivered a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half stop time-- the united state will possess been actually effectively behind at the break.Instead, they equaled as well as able to find out with higher seriousness and also virility. Smith moved across contemporary of Swanson's range and also Sam Coffey had a crack that skided large to acquire the united state group back in to it prior to Albert located her room. A quick look, a strong successfully pass and also Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and what is expected to become her last global, came on at the hour yet was continuously boxed up. Four mins in to 10 mins of deduction time, Adriana drove a diving header at target coming from close range that Naeher-- once again == whacked away.Marta put her hands on her scalp. The American fans shouted in glee. One year after incredible dissatisfaction, the USWNT was actually back.