.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state women's nationwide team gained the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, hammering South america, 1-0, in a video game that required a stout defensive fill in the initial fifty percent observed through an accurate as well as calculated surge in the 2nd to deny South america and its legendary leader Marta.It was actually a familiar finishing to a competition that had actually been actually a great deal about what is actually new for the USWNT: A new train in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of assaulters and also a brand-new expectation after the frustration of last summer's Women's Planet Cup all meshed all together to result in a record-extending 5th Olympic name, and also to begin with considering that 2012, for the U.S. girls, who certainly never tracked at any type of point in their six suits in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the winning objective in the 57th minute with a slick end after running through on objective, however youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that provided the reception-- and Sophia Smith, that smartly fled from the stage show after discovering she resided in an offside posture, were the companies. The moment Swanson crinkled her try past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Boat trip as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th target of the event, most amongst the Americans and tied for second-most one of all players in the competitors. South america, which had been actually in demand for much of video game's onset, remained to precipitate seeking a counterpoise yet could not find its way through. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her staff's very most useful gamer in the first half, did certainly not make it possible for a target in the knockout rounds.The suit was used the exact same area where the guys's teams coming from Spain and France played out an eight-goal classic in their last a time earlier, as well as ladies's groups began at a pace that at the very least hinted at a prospective outrageous fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's goal supplied a 5th gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a choice which was actually logical-- the staff had actually simply defeated France and Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- however still felt weird. And also Hayes went down Flower Lavelle from her lineup in favor of Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's personal injury history and also the probability of added time. Obviously, it was a choice that exercised perfectly.As they carried out in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians visited pushing. Inside 2 minutes, Ludmila possessed a close-range shot conserved by Naeher, an early cautionary tale that seemed like an arrowhead evaded. Unbothered, South america kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe as well as virtually pulled a penalty from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and also castigated a fired right into the internet that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson as well as only skipped Ludmila with an unsafe cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had seconds, too. Triad Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield sent her soaring in the direction of target and Swanson used her velocity also to pull a section yet Brazil always felt much more unsafe. If not for Naeher-- that supplied a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half deduction opportunity-- the united state will possess been actually well behind at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable ahead out with higher seriousness and also sparkle. Smith crossed just out of Swanson's grasp as well as Sam Coffey had a crack that skided wide to acquire the U.S. group back into it before Albert found her room. A quick glance, an exciting successfully pass and also South america was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics as well as what is actually expected to be her final worldwide, started at the hour however was constantly bottled up. Four mins in to 10 moments of interruption time, Adriana pushed a diving header at target from close range that Naeher-- once more == swatted away.Marta placed her hands on her head. The United States followers shouted in pleasure. One year after unbelievable disappointment, the USWNT was actually back.