.Sam Borden, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually a senior writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. women's national team succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in a video game that required a stout protective fill in the first half followed through a specific and calculated rise in the 2nd to refute South america and also its own legendary captain Marta.It was a familiar finishing to a competition that had actually been a lot concerning what is actually brand new for the USWNT: A brand new train in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of enemies and also a brand-new outlook after the disappointment of last summer season's Women's World Cup all harmonized with each other to lead to a record-extending fifth Olympic title, and first due to the fact that 2012, for the U.S. females, who never ever tracked at any kind of factor in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the succeeding goal in the 57th min along with a slick end after going through on objective, yet young midfielder Korbin Albert-- that supplied the ball-- and also Sophia Johnson, that intelligently escaped from the stage show after understanding she remained in an offside position, were actually the facilitators. The moment Swanson buckled her go past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Trip and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth target of the tournament, a lot of among the Americans and tied for second-most one of all gamers in the competitors. Brazil, which had actually been in demand for a lot of video game's beginning, continued to push forward looking for a counterpoise but could not discover its technique by means of. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her crew's most beneficial gamer in the very first fifty percent, performed not allow an objective in the knockout rounds.The suit was used the exact same field where the guys's teams coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their final a time previously, and females's staffs started at a speed that at least mentioned a potential offending fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's objective delivered a 5th gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a selection which was actually understandable-- the crew had merely trumped France as well as Spain while she offered a red-card revocation-- however still felt unusual. And Hayes fell Flower Lavelle from her schedule in favor of Albert, a seeming salute to Lavelle's trauma past history and also the possibility of extra opportunity. It goes without saying, it was a choice that worked out perfectly.As they did in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians showed up pushing. Inside two moments, Ludmila possessed a close-range chance conserved through Naeher, a very early wake-up call that seemed like an arrow evaded. Unbothered, Brazil always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe and also nearly pulled a charge coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma and whipped a fired right into the net that was actually eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson and only overlooked Ludmila with an unsafe cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed instants, as well. Trio Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield sent her flying towards objective and also Swanson used her rate also to draw a section yet Brazil regularly felt much more dangerous. Otherwise for Naeher-- that delivered an enchanting reaction save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance opportunity-- the U.S. would have been actually properly responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable ahead out along with greater seriousness and also endurance. Johnson went across contemporary of Swanson's range as well as Sam Coffey had a crack that skided broad to get the U.S. crowd back right into it before Albert located her room. A quick glance, a strong pass and also Brazil was reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics as well as what is actually expected to be her ultimate worldwide, started at the hr however was regularly suppressed. 4 moments right into 10 minutes of standstill time, Adriana pressed a diving header at goal from close range that Naeher-- once more == knocked away.Marta put her palms on her head. The American enthusiasts chanted in pleasure. One year after unbelievable disappointment, the USWNT was actually back.