.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually a senior author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state girls's national team succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in a game that demanded a stout defensive fill in the 1st fifty percent observed by an exact as well as computed rise in the 2nd to refuse Brazil as well as its own epic captain Marta.It was actually a known ending to an event that had actually been actually so much concerning what's brand new for the USWNT: A new trainer in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of assailants as well as a brand new expectation after the frustration of final summer's Women's Globe Mug all harmonized together to lead to a record-extending fifth Olympic title, and also to begin with since 2012, for the united state ladies, who never trailed at any sort of aspect in their six suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining goal in the 57th minute with a sleek end after running through on goal, yet young midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the ball-- and also Sophia Smith, who smartly ran away from the play after recognizing she resided in an offside position, were the facilitators. As soon as Swanson curled her go past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Voyage and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth goal of the tournament, most among the Americans as well as matched for second-most among all gamers in the competition. Brazil, which had been in command for a lot of activity's early stages, continued to push forward in search of a counterpoise however could not discover its own technique through. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her staff's most useful player in the first half, carried out not make it possible for a target in the knockout rounds.The match was played on the very same industry where the males's staffs from Spain and also France participated in out an eight-goal classic in their final a day previously, as well as females's staffs began at a speed that at the very least mentioned a potential offensive fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target provided a fifth gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was understandable-- the group had simply defeated France as well as Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- yet still really felt peculiar. And Hayes dropped Rose Lavelle from her schedule in favor of Albert, a seeming nod to Lavelle's trauma record and also the probability of extra time. It goes without saying, it was actually a selection that worked out perfectly.As they performed in their upset of Spain, the Brazilians came out pushing. Inside pair of moments, Ludmila had a close-range go spared by Naeher, a very early wake-up call that felt like an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, South america always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end line and nearly drew a fine from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and whipped a shot into the internet that was actually eliminated for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and just missed out on Ludmila with a risky cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had minutes, as well. Triad Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield sent her soaring towards target and Swanson used her velocity also to pull a corner however South america constantly really felt a lot more unsafe. Otherwise for Naeher-- who delivered a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half blockage time-- the united state would have been actually well responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable to find out with better urgency and also endurance. Johnson crossed contemporary of Swanson's range and Sam Coffey that swerved broad to acquire the U.S. crowd back right into it prior to Albert located her area. A fast glance, an exciting pass and South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics as well as what is expected to become her last international, started at the hour yet was continuously shut in. 4 moments right into 10 moments of deduction time, Adriana pressed a diving header at objective from close quarters that Naeher-- again == whacked away.Marta put her hands on her scalp. The United States supporters shouted in joy. One year after incredible disappointment, the USWNT was actually back.