.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. women's nationwide group succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in a game that demanded a stout defensive stand in the 1st half complied with through a specific as well as calculated surge in the 2nd to refuse Brazil as well as its epic leader Marta.It was a familiar ending to a competition that had been so much concerning what is actually brand-new for the USWNT: A brand-new instructor in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of attackers and a brand new outlook after the frustration of final summer season's Women's Globe Mug all meshed with each other to result in a record-extending fifth Olympic title, and initially given that 2012, for the united state females, who never ever routed at any sort of aspect in their six suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the winning goal in the 57th minute with a glossy finish after going through on objective, yet youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the reception-- as well as Sophia Johnson, who intelligently broke away from the play after discovering she remained in an offside posture, were actually the companies. As soon as Swanson curled her shot past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Voyage as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th target of the competition, a lot of amongst the Americans as well as tied for second-most amongst all players in the competitors. South america, which had been actually in demand for a lot of video game's onset, remained to push forward looking for an equalizer however couldn't find its means through. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her staff's most useful player in the very first fifty percent, performed not make it possible for a goal in the knockout rounds.The match was actually played on the very same industry where the males's teams coming from Spain and France played out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a day earlier, and also females's teams started at a rate that at least meant a potential outrageous fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's goal delivered a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a selection which was easy to understand-- the team had actually just trumped France and Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- yet still experienced weird. And also Hayes dropped Flower Lavelle coming from her schedule in favor of Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's accident history as well as the opportunity of added time. Obviously, it was a choice that exercised perfectly.As they performed in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians visited pressing. Inside 2 moments, Ludmila possessed a close-range try conserved by Naeher, an early cautionary tale that seemed like an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, Brazil kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end line and also virtually drew a charge coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma and also whipped a fired right into the web that was actually dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson and just skipped Ludmila with a harmful cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed moments, as well. Triad Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield sent her flying in the direction of goal and also Swanson utilized her velocity as well to pull an edge yet South america always really felt even more unsafe. Otherwise for Naeher-- that provided a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance time-- the U.S. would have been effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level and able to follow out along with greater urgency and also vigor. Smith traversed just out of Swanson's grasp and Sam Coffey had a crack that swerved large to get the united state crowd back in to it before Albert located her space. A fast glance, a spirituous successfully pass and South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and also what is expected to be her last worldwide, came on at the hour however was actually consistently boxed up. Four minutes right into 10 minutes of halt opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at goal coming from close range that Naeher-- once again == whacked away.Marta put her palms on her head. The American supporters chanted in joy. One year after unbelievable dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.