.Sam Borden, ESPN Elder WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually an elderly article writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. ladies's national group succeeded the Olympic gold award on Sunday, hammering South america, 1-0, in a video game that demanded a stout protective fill in the first half observed through a specific and also computed surge in the 2nd to deny South america and also its own legendary leader Marta.It was a common finishing to a competition that had actually been so much regarding what is actually new for the USWNT: A brand new coach in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of enemies and a brand-new outlook after the dissatisfaction of final summer's Female's Planet Cup all meshed all together to result in a record-extending fifth Olympic title, and also initially because 2012, for the USA ladies, who never routed at any aspect in their 6 suits in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the winning objective in the 57th min along with a slick end after running through on objective, however young midfielder Korbin Albert-- who supplied the reception-- and Sophia Smith, who smartly escaped from the stage show after understanding she remained in an offside position, were actually the companies. As soon as Swanson buckled her shot past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Boat trip and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's 4th goal of the tournament, many among the Americans and matched for second-most amongst all gamers in the competition. South america, which had actually been in command for a lot of video game's onset, continued to push forward trying to find a counterpoise however couldn't locate its own method via. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's very most valuable gamer in the first one-half, performed certainly not permit a goal in the knockout rounds.The suit was actually used the same industry where the guys's teams coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their ultimate a time previously, and also girls's teams started at a pace that a minimum of meant a potential offensive rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's goal delivered a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a decision which was actually logical-- the crew had only trumped France and Spain while she provided a red-card suspension-- but still felt peculiar. As well as Hayes dropped Rose Lavelle coming from her lineup for Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's trauma past and also the opportunity of additional time. It goes without saying, it was actually a choice that exercised perfectly.As they performed in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians came out pushing. Inside pair of moments, Ludmila had a close-range chance conserved through Naeher, a very early cautionary tale that thought that an arrowhead evaded. Unbothered, Brazil maintained coming. Adriana danced deftly on completion pipe and nearly pulled a charge from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila transformed Naomi Girma and also blasted a fired into the web that was ruled out for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson as well as simply missed out on Ludmila along with a dangerous cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans had minutes, also. Triad Rodman's magical twist at midfield delivered her soaring towards target as well as Swanson used her rate as well to draw a section however Brazil regularly experienced even more dangerous. Otherwise for Naeher-- who provided a wonderful reaction save of Portilho in first-half standstill time-- the U.S. would certainly possess been actually effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable to follow out with better necessity as well as gusto. Smith moved across just out of Swanson's range and also Sam Coffey had a crack that skided large to obtain the U.S. crowd back in to it prior to Albert discovered her space. A fast glance, a strong successfully pass and also Brazil was actually reeling.Marta, playing in her 6th Olympics and also what is anticipated to become her last international, came on at the hr yet was consistently shut in. 4 minutes in to 10 mins of blockage time, Adriana pressed a diving header at target coming from close range that Naeher-- once again == whacked away.Marta put her hands on her head. The American followers chanted in joy. One year after incredible frustration, the USWNT was actually back.