.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is a senior author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. women's national group succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, hammering Brazil, 1-0, in an activity that required a stout defensive fill in the 1st one-half adhered to through a precise as well as computed surge in the 2nd to refute South america and also its own fabulous leader Marta.It was a recognizable ending to a competition that had actually been actually a great deal concerning what is actually brand-new for the USWNT: A new instructor in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of aggressors and also a brand new expectation after the frustration of last summer months's Women's Planet Cup all harmonized together to lead to a record-extending fifth Olympic title, and first considering that 2012, for the USA girls, that certainly never tracked at any factor in their six suits in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the succeeding objective in the 57th minute along with a sleek end after running through on target, however youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that provided the reception-- and Sophia Smith, who smartly broke away from the play after understanding she was in an offside setting, were actually the facilitators. When Swanson crinkled her chance past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's fourth goal of the event, a lot of among the Americans as well as matched for second-most one of all players in the competition. Brazil, which had been actually in order for much of game's onset, continued to precipitate searching for a counterpoise however could not find its way through. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her team's most important player in the very first fifty percent, did certainly not allow an objective in the knockout rounds.The match was played on the exact same industry where the men's staffs from Spain and also France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their final a time previously, and also women's crews started at a pace that at least mentioned a potential annoying rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's goal delivered a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was understandable-- the group had only trumped France as well as Spain while she provided a red-card revocation-- but still really felt strange. And also Hayes dropped Flower Lavelle coming from her lineup in favor of Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's personal injury background and also the possibility of added time. Needless to say, it was a choice that worked out perfectly.As they did in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians emerged pressing. Inside pair of moments, Ludmila had a close-range chance spared through Naeher, a very early cautionary tale that felt like an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, South america maintained happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and virtually drew a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma and blasted a shot into the internet that was ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and also only missed out on Ludmila with a risky cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed seconds, too. Triad Rodman's magical twist at midfield delivered her soaring in the direction of target as well as Swanson used her velocity also to pull a section but South america constantly felt much more risky. Or even for Naeher-- who delivered a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half standstill time-- the U.S. would have been effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level as well as able to follow out along with higher necessity and also vigor. Smith traversed just out of Swanson's scope and Sam Coffey that swerved wide to obtain the U.S. group back right into it prior to Albert located her space. An easy glance, a heady pass as well as Brazil was reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and what is anticipated to become her ultimate global, came on at the hr but was actually continuously repressed. 4 moments right into 10 moments of interruption time, Adriana drove a diving header at objective coming from close range that Naeher-- again == knocked away.Marta placed her palms on her head. The American enthusiasts chanted in merriment. One year after astonishing disappointment, the USWNT was back.