.Sam Borden, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterAug 10, 2024, 01:06 PM ETCloseSam Borden is an elderly author for ESPN.com.PARIS-- The USA women's national group gained the Olympic gold medal on Saturday, beating South america, 1-0, in an activity that required a stout defensive stand in the very first fifty percent observed through an exact and calculated rise in the second to refute Brazil as well as its fabulous leader Marta.It was a recognizable ending to a competition that had been actually a great deal concerning what's brand new for the USWNT: A brand new instructor in Emma Hayes, a brand-new frontline of enemies and also a new outlook after the dissatisfaction of final summer season's Women's World Mug all harmonized all together to lead to a record-extending 5th Olympic name, and initially considering that 2012, for the U.S. women, that certainly never trailed at any type of point in their six suits in France.Mallory Swanson scored the gaining goal in the 57th min along with a slick finish after running through on goal, but younger midfielder Korbin Albert-- who delivered the ball-- as well as Sophia Johnson, who smartly escaped coming from the stage show after recognizing she was in an offside posture, were actually the facilitators. When Swanson crinkled her try past South america goalkeeper Lorena, the group at the Parc des Princes-- that included Tom Voyage and also Megan Rapinoe-- exploded.It was actually Swanson's 4th target of the event, a lot of among the Americans and matched for second-most amongst all gamers in the competition. South america, which had actually been actually in command for a lot of game's onset, continued to precipitate seeking a counterpoise yet couldn't discover its own means via. United state goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was her group's most important player in the 1st fifty percent, performed not enable a goal in the knockout rounds.The match was used the exact same area where the males's groups from Spain and also France played out an eight-goal classic in their last a day previously, and also women's staffs began at a pace that a minimum of hinted at a potential offensive rockets, too.Mallory Swanson's goal supplied a fifth gold medal for the USWNT. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile by means of Getty ImagesBrazil started without Marta, a decision which was actually understandable-- the crew had just defeated France and Spain while she offered a red-card suspension-- but still felt unusual. And also Hayes dropped Flower Lavelle coming from her lineup in favor of Albert, a seeming salute to Lavelle's injury past history as well as the option of added opportunity. Obviously, it was actually a choice that worked out perfectly.As they carried out in their distress of Spain, the Brazilians appeared pressing. Inside pair of moments, Ludmila possessed a close-range chance saved by Naeher, an early cautionary tale that thought that an arrow evaded. Unbothered, South america always kept coming. Adriana danced deftly on the end pipe and also virtually pulled a charge coming from Crystal Dunn. Ludmila switched Naomi Girma as well as whipped a shot into the internet that was actually dismissed for offside. Gabi Portilho defeated Tierna Davidson and simply skipped Ludmila with a risky cross before goal.Editor's Picks1 RelatedThe Americans possessed minutes, also. Triad Rodman's magical spin at midfield delivered her flying in the direction of target and also Swanson used her rate also to draw an edge but South america constantly experienced much more dangerous. Or even for Naeher-- that provided a magical reaction save of Portilho in first-half discontinuance opportunity-- the USA will have been actually effectively responsible for at the break.Instead, they were level and also capable to come out with greater urgency as well as vigor. Smith moved across just out of Swanson's reach and Sam Coffey had a crack that swerved vast to receive the USA group back into it before Albert discovered her space. A simple glimpse, a stimulating pass as well as South america was reeling.Marta, playing in her sixth Olympics and also what is anticipated to become her final international, started at the hr yet was continuously repressed. 4 moments into 10 mins of blockage opportunity, Adriana pressed a diving header at goal coming from close range that Naeher-- once again == whacked away.Marta put her palms on her scalp. The American followers shouted in pleasure. One year after amazing dissatisfaction, the USWNT was back.