.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA females's national crew won the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, hammering Brazil, 1-0, in a video game that needed a stout protective stand in the 1st half adhered to by an exact and computed rise in the 2nd to deny Brazil as well as its own legendary captain Marta.It was a common finishing to a competition that had actually been so much regarding what's brand new for the USWNT: A brand-new train in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of assailants as well as a new overview after the dissatisfaction of last summer months's Women's World Mug all meshed together to cause a record-extending fifth Olympic name, and to begin with due to the fact that 2012, for the U.S. girls, who never ever routed at any sort of factor in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining goal in the 57th minute along with a sleek finish after running through on goal, however young midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the reception-- and also Sophia Johnson, that smartly ran away coming from the stage show after realizing she was in an offside position, were the facilitators. As soon as Swanson curled her chance 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 target of the tournament, most one of the Americans as well as tied for second-most amongst all players in the competition. Brazil, which had been actually in order for much of activity's beginning, remained to push forward in search of an equalizer but could not discover its way with. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her team's most valuable player in the initial half, performed not make it possible for a goal in the knockout rounds.The suit was played on the very same field where the men's staffs coming from Spain and also France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their last a time previously, as well as females's crews started at a speed that a minimum of meant a possible annoying fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's objective supplied a 5th gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile using Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a choice which was actually reasonable-- the staff had only defeated France and Spain while she served a red-card suspension-- however still felt odd. As well as Hayes went down Rose Lavelle from her lineup for Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's trauma background and also the possibility of added time. Obviously, it was actually a decision that worked out perfectly.As they did in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians emerged pushing. Inside 2 moments, Ludmila possessed a close-range chance conserved through Naeher, an early wake-up call that felt like an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, Brazil always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end line and nearly drew a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and blasted a fired right into the internet that was dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson and also simply skipped Ludmila with an unsafe cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed seconds, also. Trio Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield delivered her soaring in the direction of objective and Swanson used her rate also to attract a section but South america consistently felt a lot more dangerous. If not for Naeher-- that delivered a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half interruption opportunity-- the united state would possess been effectively behind at the break.Instead, they were level and also able to find out along with greater urgency as well as vigor. Johnson moved across just out of Swanson's reach and also Sam Coffey that skided broad to acquire the U.S. group back into it before Albert located her space. A fast glance, a spirituous successfully pass and also South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually counted on to become her ultimate international, began at the hr yet was frequently repressed. Four mins into 10 moments of discontinuance time, Adriana pressed a diving header at goal coming from close quarters that Naeher-- once more == swatted away.Marta placed her palms on her scalp. The United States followers chanted in joy. One year after fabulous frustration, the USWNT was actually back.