.Sam Borden, ESPN Elderly Person WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is a senior article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA ladies's national team won the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, hammering Brazil, 1-0, in a game that needed a stout defensive stand in the very first one-half followed through an accurate and also computed surge in the 2nd to deny South america and also its own legendary captain Marta.It was actually a familiar ending to an event that had been actually so much regarding what's brand new for the USWNT: A new train in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of attackers and also a new outlook after the frustration of final summertime's Women's Globe Mug all meshed all together to result in a record-extending fifth Olympic name, and initially since 2012, for the U.S. females, that certainly never trailed at any kind of point in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the winning objective in the 57th min along with a sleek end after running through on target, yet youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- that supplied the reception-- and Sophia Johnson, who intelligently broke away coming from the play after realizing she was in an offside setting, were the companies. Once Swanson crinkled her shot past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise line and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th target of the event, the majority of amongst the Americans and matched for second-most one of all gamers in the competitors. South america, which had actually been actually in command for a lot of video game's beginning, remained to precipitate seeking a counterpoise yet couldn't locate its own means by means of. USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her group's most beneficial gamer in the first half, carried out not make it possible for a goal in the knockout rounds.The match was played on the very same field where the men's staffs from Spain and France played out an eight-goal standard in their last a day previously, as well as ladies's staffs began at a speed that at the very least mentioned a potential repulsive rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's objective delivered a 5th gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile through Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was actually reasonable-- the staff had merely beaten France and also Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- but still felt unusual. And Hayes lost Rose Lavelle coming from her schedule in favor of Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's injury record and also the possibility of additional opportunity. Needless to say, it was a choice that worked out perfectly.As they performed in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians came out pressing. Inside pair of moments, Ludmila had a close-range chance conserved through Naeher, a very early wake-up call that thought that an arrow dodged. Unbothered, South america maintained happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion line as well as almost attracted a penalty from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila turned Naomi Girma and whipped a shot right into the internet that was dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho trumped Tierna Davidson and merely missed Ludmila along with an unsafe cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had minutes, too. Trio Rodman's magical spin at midfield sent her flying in the direction of target and Swanson used her velocity as well to attract a section yet Brazil constantly felt a lot more risky. Or even for Naeher-- that delivered a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance opportunity-- the U.S. would have been actually effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable to follow out along with higher necessity as well as vigor. Smith traversed just out of Swanson's scope and also Sam Coffey had a crack that skided broad to obtain the U.S. crowd back in to it before Albert found her room. A simple glance, a spirituous pass and Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and what is actually anticipated to be her ultimate worldwide, came on at the hr however was continuously shut in. 4 moments into 10 moments of interruption time, Adriana drove a diving header at objective from close quarters that Naeher-- once again == knocked away.Marta placed her palms on her scalp. The American enthusiasts chanted in glee. One year after astonishing disappointment, the USWNT was back.