.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA girls's national crew succeeded the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in a video game that demanded a stout protective stand in the first half followed through an exact and also computed rise in the 2nd to reject South america and its legendary captain Marta.It was a recognizable finishing to an event that had actually been actually so much concerning what is actually brand new for the USWNT: A new train in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of assailants and also a brand-new expectation after the dissatisfaction of last summer months's Women's World Cup all harmonized all together to cause a record-extending fifth Olympic name, and initially given that 2012, for the U.S. women, that never ever routed at any aspect in their 6 matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the winning objective in the 57th moment along with a sleek end after running through on objective, however youthful midfielder Korbin Albert-- who supplied the reception-- as well as Sophia Smith, that smartly escaped coming from the play after discovering she remained in an offside posture, were actually the companies. When Swanson crinkled her chance past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Cruise line and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's fourth objective of the competition, many one of the Americans and tied for second-most among all players in the competitors. Brazil, which had been in command for much of video game's onset, continued to precipitate seeking a counterpoise but couldn't discover its own technique by means of. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her team's most beneficial gamer in the 1st half, performed not enable a goal in the knockout rounds.The match was actually used the very same industry where the guys's teams from Spain and also France played out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a day previously, and also girls's staffs started at a rate that at least mentioned a possible outrageous fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a choice which was understandable-- the staff had merely defeated France and Spain while she served a red-card revocation-- however still really felt weird. And Hayes went down Flower Lavelle coming from her lineup for Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's trauma background and the opportunity of extra time. Needless to say, it was actually a decision that worked out perfectly.As they performed in their trouble of Spain, the Brazilians visited pressing. Inside 2 mins, Ludmila possessed a close-range go spared by Naeher, an early wake-up call that believed that an arrow evaded. Unbothered, South america kept happening. Adriana danced deftly on completion line and also nearly drew a charge coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma as well as castigated a shot into the net that was dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and also simply overlooked Ludmila along with an unsafe cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed instants, also. Trinity Rodman's wonderful twist at midfield sent her soaring towards target and also Swanson used her velocity too to pull a corner however South america always experienced extra hazardous. Otherwise for Naeher-- who provided an enchanting reaction save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance time-- the U.S. will have been actually well behind at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable to follow out with more significant necessity and endurance. Smith went across contemporary of Swanson's scope and Sam Coffey had a crack that skided vast to get the USA crowd back into it before Albert discovered her space. A fast look, a heady pass and also South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and what is counted on to become her last worldwide, started at the hr yet was actually continuously boxed up. 4 moments right into 10 mins of deduction opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at target coming from close quarters that Naeher-- once more == swatted away.Marta placed her hands on her head. The United States supporters chanted in glee. One year after astonishing frustration, the USWNT was actually back.