.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state girls's nationwide group succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in a video game that required a stout protective fill in the first half followed by an exact and computed rise in the second to refuse Brazil and its fabulous captain Marta.It was actually a recognizable ending to a competition that had actually been actually a lot regarding what's brand new for the USWNT: A brand new trainer in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of assaulters and also a new overview after the dissatisfaction of last summer months's Female's Globe Mug all meshed together to cause a record-extending fifth Olympic title, as well as first due to the fact that 2012, for the USA ladies, that never trailed at any factor in their 6 suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining objective in the 57th moment along with a sleek finish after running through on target, however young midfielder Korbin Albert-- who supplied the reception-- and Sophia Smith, that intelligently broke away coming from the play after realizing she remained in an offside posture, were actually the companies. As soon as Swanson crinkled her go past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Voyage and Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th target of the competition, most amongst the Americans as well as matched for second-most one of all gamers in the competitors. South america, which had actually been in order for a lot of video game's early stages, continued to precipitate looking for an equalizer however couldn't find its own means with. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's most beneficial player in the first one-half, did certainly not allow a goal in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually used the same field where the males's groups coming from Spain and also France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their final a day earlier, and also girls's teams began at a rate that at least meant a possible objectionable fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's goal delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a choice which was logical-- the crew had just trumped France and Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- but still really felt odd. And also Hayes dropped Rose Lavelle coming from her schedule in favor of Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's accident record and also the probability of added opportunity. Needless to say, it was actually a selection that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside two minutes, Ludmila possessed a close-range chance conserved through Naeher, a very early wake-up call that believed that an arrowhead evaded. Unbothered, Brazil always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe and virtually drew a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma and also blasted a shot in to the internet that was actually dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson and also merely overlooked Ludmila along with an unsafe cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed instants, as well. Triad Rodman's wonderful spin at midfield delivered her soaring in the direction of objective and also Swanson used her velocity too to attract a section but South america regularly really felt even more unsafe. Or even for Naeher-- who delivered a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half deduction opportunity-- the united state would possess been actually properly behind at the break.Instead, they were level and also capable to find out with higher urgency and gusto. Johnson traversed contemporary of Swanson's range and also Sam Coffey that swerved vast to obtain the U.S. crowd back in to it just before Albert found her area. A simple look, a strong successfully pass and also Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and also what is expected to become her ultimate global, came on at the hr however was continuously bottled up. 4 mins in to 10 mins of halt time, Adriana drove a diving header at goal from close range that Naeher-- again == swatted away.Marta placed her hands on her head. The American fans chanted in glee. One year after incredible dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.