.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is a senior article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. women's national crew gained the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, beating Brazil, 1-0, in a video game that required a stout defensive fill in the very first half observed by a precise as well as estimated surge in the second to refuse Brazil and its own fabulous captain Marta.It was actually a known ending to a tournament that had actually been actually so much about what's new for the USWNT: A brand new instructor in Emma Hayes, a new frontline of assaulters and also a brand-new expectation after the disappointment of final summer's Women's Globe Cup all meshed with each other to result in a record-extending fifth Olympic name, and initially considering that 2012, for the united state ladies, who never tracked at any factor in their six suits in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the gaining objective in the 57th min along with a sleek finish after running through on goal, yet young midfielder Korbin Albert-- that supplied the ball-- as well as Sophia Johnson, who wisely escaped from the play after discovering she resided in an offside setting, were actually the facilitators. Once Swanson crinkled her shot past Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Cruise line as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's 4th target of the competition, the majority of amongst the Americans as well as tied for second-most among all gamers in the competition. Brazil, which had been actually in demand for much of game's early stages, remained to precipitate looking for a counterpoise however could not locate its method via. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her group's very most beneficial gamer in the first fifty percent, carried out not enable a target in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually used the exact same field where the males's groups from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a day previously, and girls's staffs started at a speed that at least mentioned a prospective repulsive fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's objective delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was actually reasonable-- the staff had actually just trumped France and also Spain while she served a red-card revocation-- yet still felt peculiar. And Hayes fell Rose Lavelle from her schedule for Albert, an appearing to be salute to Lavelle's accident record and also the probability of added opportunity. Needless to say, it was actually a selection that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pushing. Inside two minutes, Ludmila had a close-range try conserved through Naeher, an early cautionary tale that seemed like an arrow dodged. Unbothered, Brazil maintained happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe and almost drew a fine coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma and whipped a fired into the internet that was actually ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson as well as simply missed Ludmila with a hazardous cross facing goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had instants, also. Triad Rodman's enchanting twist at midfield delivered her flying towards goal and also Swanson used her rate at the same time to pull a section but Brazil constantly felt a lot more hazardous. Otherwise for Naeher-- that delivered a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half stoppage time-- the USA will have been properly behind at the break.Instead, they were level as well as able to follow out along with more significant necessity and gusto. Smith crossed contemporary of Swanson's range and Sam Coffey had a crack that skided vast to acquire the U.S. group back right into it just before Albert discovered her area. A quick glance, a stimulating successfully pass and also South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and what is actually expected to be her ultimate global, came on at the hr however was actually consistently repressed. 4 minutes into 10 mins of halt opportunity, Adriana drove a diving header at goal coming from close quarters that Naeher-- again == whacked away.Marta placed her hands on her head. The American fans shouted in glee. One year after extraordinary frustration, the USWNT was back.