.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually a senior author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The united state ladies's nationwide team succeeded the Olympic gold award on Sunday, beating South america, 1-0, in an activity that demanded a stout defensive stand in the 1st fifty percent complied with through a specific and also estimated rise in the 2nd to refute South america as well as its own epic leader Marta.It was a recognizable finishing to an event that had been so much regarding what is actually brand-new for the USWNT: A brand-new instructor in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of enemies and a new expectation after the frustration of last summer's Female's Globe Cup all meshed with each other to cause a record-extending fifth Olympic name, as well as to begin with because 2012, for the USA women, that certainly never routed at any aspect in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining objective in the 57th moment with a sleek end after going through on goal, but youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that delivered the ball-- and also Sophia Johnson, that intelligently ran away coming from the stage show after discovering she resided in an offside posture, were actually the facilitators. When Swanson buckled her try past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Trip as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th target of the tournament, most amongst the Americans and also tied for second-most amongst all gamers in the competitors. Brazil, which had been actually in order for a lot of video game's onset, continued to precipitate looking for an equalizer however couldn't locate its way via. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her crew's very most valuable player in the very first fifty percent, performed certainly not permit a goal in the knockout rounds.The suit was played on the exact same industry where the guys's staffs from Spain and France played out an eight-goal classic in their ultimate a day previously, and also girls's teams began at a pace that a minimum of mentioned a possible offending rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's target supplied a 5th gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a decision which was actually logical-- the crew had only trumped France and also Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- however still really felt strange. And Hayes fell Flower Lavelle from her lineup in favor of Albert, a seeming nod to Lavelle's injury background and also the possibility of added opportunity. Needless to say, it was actually a choice that worked out perfectly.As they performed in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside 2 moments, Ludmila possessed a close-range shot spared through Naeher, a very early wake-up call that thought that an arrowhead dodged. Unbothered, Brazil always kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion line as well as almost pulled a penalty coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and also whipped a shot into the net that was dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson and also simply skipped Ludmila along with a risky cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had seconds, too. Trinity Rodman's magical spin at midfield sent her flying in the direction of goal as well as Swanson used her rate too to pull an edge yet South america regularly really felt extra dangerous. Or even for Naeher-- who delivered a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half interruption time-- the U.S. would certainly possess been effectively behind at the break.Instead, they equaled and able ahead out with better seriousness as well as sparkle. Smith moved across just out of Swanson's range and Sam Coffey had a crack that swerved broad to acquire the U.S. group back right into it just before Albert found her area. A quick glimpse, a powerful successfully pass and Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is counted on to become her final international, began at the hr but was frequently bottled up. Four minutes right into 10 mins of halt opportunity, Adriana drove a diving header at objective coming from close range that Naeher-- again == knocked away.Marta placed her palms on her head. The American followers chanted in glee. One year after fabulous disappointment, the USWNT was actually back.