.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is actually a senior writer for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The U.S. females's nationwide group gained the Olympic gold medal on Sunday, hammering South america, 1-0, in a game that called for a stout protective fill in the 1st one-half observed through an accurate as well as computed surge in the 2nd to refute South america as well as its own famous captain Marta.It was actually a recognizable finishing to an event that had actually been a great deal concerning what's brand-new for the USWNT: A brand-new train in Emma Hayes, a brand new frontline of assaulters and also a brand new expectation after the disappointment of last summer's Women's Planet Mug all harmonized together to cause a record-extending 5th Olympic title, and also to begin with considering that 2012, for the U.S. girls, that never tracked at any type of factor in their six matches in France.Mallory Swanson racked up the succeeding objective in the 57th minute along with a glossy finish after running through on target, however young midfielder Korbin Albert-- who provided the reception-- and Sophia Smith, that wisely fled coming from the play after realizing she resided in an offside position, were actually the facilitators. As soon as Swanson crinkled her shot past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the crowd at the Parc des Princes-- which included Tom Boat trip as well as Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was Swanson's fourth target of the competition, a lot of amongst the Americans and matched for second-most among all players in the competition. Brazil, which had been actually in demand for much of video game's beginning, remained to push forward trying to find an equalizer however couldn't find its method with. U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, that was her team's very most valuable gamer in the very first one-half, carried out not permit a target in the knockout rounds.The match was used the exact same area where the men's groups coming from Spain as well as France participated in out an eight-goal standard in their last a day previously, as well as females's teams began at a rate that at least mentioned a possible annoying fireworks, too.Mallory Swanson's target delivered a 5th gold award for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile using Getty ImagesBrazil began without Marta, a selection which was reasonable-- the staff had actually simply beaten France and also Spain while she served a red-card revocation-- however still really felt unusual. And Hayes lost Rose Lavelle from her lineup for Albert, an appearing to be nod to Lavelle's injury past and the probability of extra time. Needless to say, it was a decision that worked out perfectly.As they performed in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians visited pushing. Inside 2 moments, Ludmila had a close-range try saved by Naeher, a very early cautionary tale that felt like an arrow dodged. Unbothered, Brazil maintained happening. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and almost drew a penalty from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma and also castigated a shot in to the net that was dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho beat Tierna Davidson as well as merely missed out on Ludmila with an unsafe cross in front of goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed moments, too. Trinity Rodman's magical twist at midfield sent her soaring towards target as well as Swanson used her velocity as well to pull a section but Brazil regularly felt a lot more harmful. If not for Naeher-- who supplied a wonderful response save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance time-- the united state would certainly possess been actually properly responsible for at the break.Instead, they equaled and capable to follow out with greater necessity as well as vigor. Johnson moved across just out of Swanson's grasp and Sam Coffey that swerved vast to receive the U.S. crowd back into it prior to Albert located her space. A fast glimpse, a spirituous pass as well as Brazil was reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and also what is anticipated to be her last international, came on at the hr however was actually frequently boxed up. 4 minutes right into 10 mins of standstill time, Adriana pushed a diving header at target from close quarters that Naeher-- once again == swatted away.Marta placed her palms on her head. The American supporters chanted in pleasure. One year after awesome disappointment, the USWNT was back.