.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is a senior article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. girls's nationwide staff won the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in an activity that called for a stout defensive fill in the 1st half observed by an exact as well as calculated rise in the 2nd to deny South america and also its own epic captain Marta.It was a familiar ending to a tournament that had actually been a lot concerning what is actually new for the USWNT: A brand-new train in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of aggressors as well as a brand-new expectation after the disappointment of final summer season's Female's World Mug all harmonized with each other to result in a record-extending 5th Olympic title, as well as first considering that 2012, for the united state ladies, that certainly never tracked at any point in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the winning objective in the 57th minute along with a slick end after running through on goal, however youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- who provided the reception-- as well as Sophia Johnson, who wisely fled coming from the play after recognizing she was in an offside placement, were the companies. When Swanson curled her chance past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Voyage and Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth objective of the competition, a lot of one of the Americans and tied for second-most amongst all gamers in the competition. South america, which had actually been in command for a lot of activity's beginning, continued to push forward trying to find an equalizer however could not discover its own means through. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's very most valuable gamer in the 1st one-half, did certainly not permit a goal in the knockout rounds.The match was actually played on the same field where the men's crews coming from Spain and also France played out an eight-goal classic in their final a time earlier, as well as girls's staffs started at a speed that at the very least hinted at a possible objectionable fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's goal delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a choice which was easy to understand-- the crew had actually only defeated France and Spain while she served a red-card suspension-- however still really felt unusual. As well as Hayes lost Flower Lavelle coming from her schedule in favor of Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's trauma past history as well as the option of extra opportunity. Needless to say, it was actually a choice that worked out perfectly.As they performed in their upset of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside two minutes, Ludmila possessed a close-range shot saved by Naeher, an early wake-up call that felt like an arrow dodged. Unbothered, Brazil always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end line as well as virtually attracted a fine coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and also castigated a fired in to the net that was eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and also simply skipped Ludmila along with a harmful cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed moments, also. Trinity Rodman's enchanting spin at midfield sent her flying towards objective and Swanson utilized her speed at the same time to attract an edge but Brazil consistently experienced much more hazardous. Otherwise for Naeher-- who provided a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half blockage time-- the USA would have been actually effectively behind at the break.Instead, they were level as well as able to follow out along with better urgency as well as sparkle. Smith went across contemporary of Swanson's grasp and also Sam Coffey had a crack that skided wide to acquire the united state group back into it prior to Albert discovered her area. A quick glimpse, a powerful elapsed and South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics as well as what is counted on to be her ultimate international, started at the hr yet was actually continuously shut in. 4 minutes right into 10 minutes of halt opportunity, Adriana drove a diving header at goal coming from close range that Naeher-- once more == knocked away.Marta placed her hands on her head. The United States supporters chanted in merriment. One year after unbelievable disappointment, the USWNT was back.