.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. girls's national team gained the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in an activity that demanded a stout protective stand in the first one-half adhered to by an exact as well as calculated surge in the 2nd to reject Brazil as well as its own legendary captain Marta.It was a recognizable ending to an event that had been actually so much about what is actually brand new for the USWNT: A brand new coach in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of assailants as well as a new outlook after the dissatisfaction of last summertime's Female's World Cup all harmonized together to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic name, and to begin with because 2012, for the united state women, that certainly never routed at any factor in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the gaining target in the 57th minute with a sleek finish after going through on goal, yet younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- who delivered the reception-- as well as Sophia Johnson, who smartly fled coming from the stage show after discovering she resided in an offside placement, were the facilitators. The moment Swanson crinkled her shot past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise line and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th goal of the event, most one of the Americans and also matched for second-most one of all players in the competitors. South america, which had been in command for a lot of video game's onset, remained to precipitate in search of an equalizer however couldn't locate its technique via. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her crew's most valuable gamer in the 1st half, did not make it possible for a goal in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually played on the exact same industry where the men's groups from Spain and also France played out an eight-goal standard in their last a day previously, as well as girls's groups started at a rate that at the very least mentioned a possible offensive fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target supplied a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a decision which was actually easy to understand-- the group had actually just beaten France as well as Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- but still really felt odd. And Hayes went down Rose Lavelle coming from her lineup in favor of Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's injury history and also the possibility of added time. Obviously, it was a choice that worked out perfectly.As they did in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians showed up pushing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila had a close-range chance saved through Naeher, an early cautionary tale that felt like an arrow dodged. Unbothered, Brazil always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe as well as virtually drew a fine coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma as well as castigated a fired right into the net that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and just missed Ludmila with a hazardous cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had instants, as well. Triad Rodman's enchanting spin at midfield delivered her soaring in the direction of objective and Swanson utilized her rate also to attract a section however South america consistently experienced extra dangerous. If not for Naeher-- that delivered a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half interruption opportunity-- the united state would certainly have been actually properly behind at the break.Instead, they equaled and able ahead out with higher necessity and also vigor. Johnson traversed just out of Swanson's grasp and also Sam Coffey that skided wide to obtain the united state crowd back in to it prior to Albert located her area. An easy glance, a stimulating successfully pass and also South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and what is anticipated to become her final international, came on at the hour however was actually regularly shut in. Four moments into 10 minutes of stop opportunity, Adriana pushed a diving header at objective from close range that Naeher-- once more == whacked away.Marta put her hands on her scalp. The United States supporters chanted in pleasure. One year after unbelievable disappointment, the USWNT was actually back.