.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is a senior writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state females's national group won the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, beating South america, 1-0, in an activity that demanded a stout protective stand in the first fifty percent observed through a specific as well as calculated surge in the 2nd to refuse Brazil and also its own famous captain Marta.It was a common finishing to a competition that had been actually a lot about what's new for the USWNT: A new trainer in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of enemies and a brand-new outlook after the disappointment of last summertime's Women's Planet Mug all harmonized with each other to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic name, as well as initially because 2012, for the united state girls, who certainly never tracked at any kind of point in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the winning goal in the 57th minute with a sleek end after running through on goal, but young midfielder Korbin Albert-- who supplied the reception-- as well as Sophia Smith, who intelligently broke away from the stage show after understanding she was in an offside posture, were actually the companies. Once Swanson crinkled her try past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Boat trip and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth goal of the tournament, most among the Americans as well as tied for second-most among all gamers in the competition. South america, which had been actually in order for much of video game's beginning, remained to precipitate looking for a counterpoise however couldn't discover its method through. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's most important gamer in the initial half, carried out not permit an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was played on the same area where the guys's crews from Spain and also France played out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a time previously, as well as girls's groups started at a speed that a minimum of mentioned a potential repulsive rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's goal provided a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile using Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a decision which was reasonable-- the team had actually only beaten France and Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- but still experienced peculiar. And also Hayes went down Rose Lavelle from her schedule for Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's personal injury background and also the opportunity of additional opportunity. Needless to say, it was a choice that worked out perfectly.As they did in their upset of Spain, the Brazilians visited pushing. Inside two minutes, Ludmila had a close-range try saved by Naeher, a very early wake-up call that thought that an arrowhead evaded. Unbothered, South america always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion line and also nearly pulled a penalty from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma and castigated a shot in to the web that was eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson as well as simply overlooked Ludmila along with a risky cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed instants, as well. Triad Rodman's magical spin at midfield sent her soaring towards goal as well as Swanson utilized her rate as well to draw a section yet Brazil always experienced a lot more dangerous. If not for Naeher-- who delivered a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half halt time-- the U.S. will possess been actually properly responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled as well as capable ahead out along with higher seriousness and virility. Johnson moved across contemporary of Swanson's reach and Sam Coffey that swerved wide to acquire the USA group back right into it prior to Albert found her area. An easy look, a heady successfully pass and Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics as well as what is actually expected to become her ultimate worldwide, came on at the hour yet was actually continuously boxed up. Four mins in to 10 mins of stoppage time, Adriana pressed a diving header at target coming from close range that Naeher-- again == swatted away.Marta put her hands on her scalp. The American fans shouted in merriment. One year after amazing dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.