.Sam Borden, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is a senior author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA females's nationwide group gained the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in an activity that required a stout defensive fill in the 1st one-half observed by an accurate and also calculated rise in the second to deny Brazil as well as its own epic captain Marta.It was a recognizable finishing to an event that had been actually a lot about what's new for the USWNT: A new trainer in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of aggressors as well as a new overview after the disappointment of last summer months's Women's Planet Cup all meshed together to result in a record-extending fifth Olympic title, and to begin with considering that 2012, for the USA women, that certainly never routed at any aspect in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the winning objective in the 57th min with a slick finish after running through on objective, however younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- who provided the reception-- and also Sophia Smith, who smartly escaped coming from the play after realizing she resided in an offside posture, were actually the facilitators. The moment Swanson buckled her chance past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise line as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th goal of the tournament, the majority of amongst the Americans as well as matched for second-most among all players in the competitors. South america, which had actually been in order for much of game's beginning, remained to precipitate seeking a counterpoise but couldn't locate its own way through. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her team's most valuable gamer in the 1st half, carried out certainly not make it possible for a target in the knockout rounds.The match was used the same industry where the guys's crews from Spain and France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their final a day previously, and ladies's teams began at a pace that at least hinted at a potential offensive fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target delivered a fifth gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a decision which was reasonable-- the staff had actually merely trumped France and also Spain while she served a red-card suspension-- however still really felt odd. As well as Hayes dropped Flower Lavelle coming from her lineup in favor of Albert, a seeming salute to Lavelle's injury past and also the opportunity of additional opportunity. Obviously, it was actually a choice that exercised perfectly.As they carried out in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians showed up pressing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila had a close-range try saved by Naeher, a very early wake-up call that thought that an arrow evaded. Unbothered, South america maintained coming. Adriana danced deftly on completion line and also nearly pulled a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma as well as blasted a fired in to the web that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson as well as just missed Ludmila along with a hazardous cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had minutes, also. Triad Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield delivered her flying in the direction of objective and also Swanson utilized her rate at the same time to attract a corner yet South america constantly felt even more unsafe. Otherwise for Naeher-- who delivered an enchanting response save of Portilho in first-half standstill time-- the U.S. would have been properly responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level and capable to find out along with greater necessity as well as verve. Smith traversed just out of Swanson's reach as well as Sam Coffey had a crack that swerved broad to get the U.S. group back into it prior to Albert found her space. A fast look, a heady successfully pass and Brazil was reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics as well as what is actually expected to become her ultimate international, came on at the hr yet was continuously repressed. 4 mins into 10 moments of stoppage opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at target from close quarters that Naeher-- again == swatted away.Marta placed her hands on her scalp. The United States enthusiasts chanted in merriment. One year after extraordinary dissatisfaction, the USWNT was actually back.