.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. girls's national team won the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in an activity that needed a stout protective stand in the very first half observed through a precise as well as computed rise in the second to deny Brazil and also its famous captain Marta.It was actually a familiar ending to a tournament that had been actually so much about what is actually new for the USWNT: A new instructor in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of assailants as well as a brand new expectation after the dissatisfaction of last summertime's Women's Planet Mug all meshed with each other to result in a record-extending 5th Olympic name, as well as first because 2012, for the USA females, that never ever routed at any type of aspect in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the succeeding target in the 57th min along with a sleek finish after running through on objective, yet young midfielder Korbin Albert-- who provided the reception-- as well as Sophia Smith, who intelligently fled coming from the stage show after recognizing she remained in an offside setting, were actually the facilitators. The moment Swanson crinkled her try past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise line and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's fourth target of the tournament, most amongst the Americans as well as tied for second-most one of all players in the competitors. South america, which had actually been actually in command for a lot of video game's beginning, continued to precipitate looking for an equalizer but couldn't discover its own means via. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her staff's very most important player in the very first half, did not allow an objective in the knockout rounds.The match was played on the very same field where the males's teams coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their last a time previously, and girls's crews began at a speed that at the very least meant a prospective offensive fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's objective supplied a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a decision which was actually logical-- the group had only defeated France and also Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- however still really felt peculiar. And also Hayes went down Flower Lavelle from her schedule for Albert, a seeming salute to Lavelle's trauma past history and the probability of additional opportunity. Obviously, it was a decision that exercised perfectly.As they carried out in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians emerged pressing. Inside pair of minutes, Ludmila had a close-range go saved through Naeher, a very early cautionary tale that thought that an arrow dodged. Unbothered, Brazil kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end line and also nearly attracted a charge from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma as well as whipped a fired in to the internet that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson as well as simply missed Ludmila along with a dangerous cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed minutes, too. Triad Rodman's enchanting twist at midfield sent her soaring towards target as well as Swanson used her rate also to attract a corner yet South america always experienced much more harmful. If not for Naeher-- who delivered an enchanting reaction save of Portilho in first-half deduction time-- the U.S. will have been effectively behind at the break.Instead, they were level as well as able to come out along with greater necessity and also virility. Smith crossed contemporary of Swanson's scope and Sam Coffey that swerved wide to get the USA group back into it just before Albert located her area. A simple glimpse, an exciting elapsed and also South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is actually expected to be her final international, began at the hr but was continuously boxed up. 4 moments into 10 minutes of interruption opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at goal coming from close range that Naeher-- once more == swatted away.Marta placed her palms on her head. The United States fans shouted in merriment. One year after astonishing dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.