.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 crew gained the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in an activity that required a stout defensive stand in the very first half complied with by a precise and also computed rise in the 2nd to reject South america and also its legendary captain Marta.It was actually a familiar ending to an event that had actually been actually a great deal concerning what's brand-new for the USWNT: A new train in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of enemies and also a brand new outlook after the disappointment of final summer's Female's Globe Cup all meshed all together to cause a record-extending fifth Olympic title, as well as initially given that 2012, for the USA girls, who never trailed at any type of point in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the winning objective in the 57th min along with a sleek end after going through on target, but youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the reception-- and also Sophia Smith, who intelligently escaped coming from the play after understanding she was in an offside placement, were actually the facilitators. As soon as Swanson curled her shot past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Trip and Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth objective of the event, most one of the Americans as well as tied for second-most one of all gamers in the competitors. South america, which had been actually in demand for a lot of video game's early stages, remained to push forward seeking an equalizer yet could not discover its technique via. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her staff's most beneficial gamer in the 1st half, did not permit an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually played on the very same area where the males's groups coming from Spain and also France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a time previously, and women's groups started at a pace that a minimum of mentioned a prospective repulsive rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's goal delivered a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a choice which was actually easy to understand-- the crew had actually just defeated France as well as Spain while she served a red-card suspension-- yet still experienced odd. And also Hayes dropped Flower Lavelle from her schedule in favor of Albert, a seeming salute to Lavelle's trauma history and also the opportunity of extra time. It goes without saying, it was actually a selection that exercised perfectly.As they carried out in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pressing. Inside 2 moments, Ludmila possessed a close-range try spared through Naeher, an early wake-up call that believed that an arrow evaded. Unbothered, South america always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and also virtually pulled a charge coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma as well as blasted a fired right into the internet that was actually dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson and also merely overlooked Ludmila with a dangerous cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had seconds, as well. Triad Rodman's enchanting twist at midfield sent her flying in the direction of target and Swanson used her velocity at the same time to pull a section yet South america always experienced much more hazardous. Or even for Naeher-- who supplied a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half interruption time-- the USA will have been actually properly behind at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable to come out along with greater necessity and gusto. Johnson crossed contemporary of Swanson's range and also Sam Coffey that swerved wide to get the U.S. group back right into it prior to Albert found her room. A fast glance, an exciting elapsed as well as South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is counted on to be her ultimate international, started at the hr but was constantly boxed up. Four mins into 10 minutes of interruption time, Adriana pushed a diving header at target coming from close quarters that Naeher-- once more == whacked away.Marta placed her palms on her scalp. The American fans shouted in joy. One year after amazing frustration, the USWNT was back.