The USWNT are gold medalists for the fifth time after beating Brazil 1-0 in the women’s soccer final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday.
[ RE-WATCH: Stream USA vs BRAZIL in the women’s soccer gold-medal game ]
Emma Hayes is only 10 games into her tenure as head coach, yet she has already returned the USWNT to the mountain top of the international game, winning gold for the first time since 2012 and a major tournament for the first time since 2019.
Mallory Swansonn scored the game’s only goal just before the hour mark, when she raced in behind the Brazilian defense to catch up to Korbin Albert’s through ball. Swanson dribbled into the box, faced up to goalkeeper Lorena Leite, who had earlier denied Swanson of a similar chance, and fired inside the far post. Four goals in these Olympics for Swanson, who tore her patella tendon just weeks before last summer’s World Cup, though she misses out on the Golden Boot by one goal, to France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto.
Marta came off the bench right after Swanson’s goal, appearing in the final game of an iconic international career that began in 2002. This is Brazil’s third silver medal (2004, 2008) in women’s soccer, still yet to win the gold.
[ MORE: 2024 Paris Olympics soccer schedule & results ]
USWNT vs Brazil, Olympics gold-medal game final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Mallory Swanson (58')
Adriana Leal timed her run to perfection and she even appeared put more than enough power on her header to beat Alyssa Naeher for an equalizer in the 94th minute, but Naeher was locked in, laser-focused, making the save from point-blank range.
ALYSSA. NAEHER. You are incredible. 🧤💯 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/WZTbPRK9mJ
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) August 10, 2024
Just over a minute of regular time left for the USWNT to survive and hang on, as Martz hooks a left-footed free kick over the bar. There should be a good bit of stoppage time, though, so the job is nowhere near done. Update: minimum of 10 minutes of stoppage time!
30 minutes left to play, Brazil need Marta magic.
A LEGEND takes the pitch.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
Marta is on for Brazil and receives the captain's armband.
📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/3tvQuMlvLI
Korbin Albert played the simple through ball that sprang Mallory Swanson, and then it was all about the finish. Cool as could be from Swanson, for her fourth goal at these Olympics (one behind Marie-Antoinette Katoto of France).
TEAM USA STRIKES FIRST—AND IT'S MALLORY SWANSON AGAIN!
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
1-0 IN THE GOLD MEDAL MATCH.#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/rCEQNIbR68
Absolute SCENES from all over the stadium as the crowd goes WILD for Mallory Swanson’s goal! 🇺🇸#ParisOlympics 📺: NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/5QP70KWCCz
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
Half-hour stats update (USA-Brazil):
- Possession: 50-50
- Shots: 2-4
- On target: 2-2
It has been as even as the numbers would seem to indicate.
The game isn’t slowing down any just yet, but the USWNT are catching up to speed no anyway and probably should be 1-0 up right now. Mallory Swanson touched the ball around the last defender and raced into the penalty area, but her final touch before shooting carried her too far wide of goal. Goalkeeper Lorena Leite closed down Swanson’s angle and forced her to hit the shot right at her.
Ludmila was inches from scoring again, this time just failing to get on the end of a fantastic cross into the penalty area. Ludmila went full-stretch and only just grazed the skin of the ball, but the USA were caught out once again and they look a bit shell-shocked by the pace and intensity of this game so far. Once (if) the game slows down just a bit, they’ll settle in and take the pressure off with some prolonged possession.
It’s not often you see Naomi Girma flat out beaten one-on-one, but Ludmila da Silva did just that, dribbling by the USWNT’s best defender and thrashing a strike past Alyssa Naeher in the 16th minute. The offside flag went up as soon as the ball hit the net, though, and replay confirmed Ludmila had leaned just offside when she was played through. Bullet dodged for the USA.
It is very clear that Brazil want to play a fast, frantic game and stretch the USA as much as possible. They’re willing to give up chances at one end in order to get theirs at the other. Getting the first goal is even more important in this one.
USA in blue and red. Brazil in yellow and blue. An aesthetically pleasing clash of easily identifiable kits in the Parisian sunshine.
It looks like another capacity crowd at Parc des Princes, as both teams are out on the field and kickoff is just moments away. What a final this should be.
Last 6 meetings, dating back to 2017
- USA wins: 6, including Gold Cup final in March
- Brazil wins: 0
- Draws: 0
Marta starts on the bench in her final game for Brazil.
Lorena - Lauren, Tarciane, Thais, Yasmin - Yaya, Sampaio, Ludmila, Adriana, Portilho - Jjhennifer
One change to the lineup that beat Germany in the semifinals: defensive midfielder Korbin Albert replaces the more attacking Rose Lavelle.
Naeher - Fox, Davidson, Girma, Dunn - Coffey, Albert, Horan - Rodman, Swanson, Smith
Lining up for the Gold Medal Match in Paris, our XI 🇺🇸#USWNT x @Visa
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 10, 2024