The USWNT defeated Brazil on Saturday to win their fifth-ever Olympic gold medal. Entering the Paris Olympic Games as the favorites, the Americans went undefeated throughout the tournament and claimed gold for the first time since 2012.
The quarterfinal against Japan and the semi-final against Germany were both too close for comfort for the USWNT, and the final against Brazil would be similar.
USWNT clinches Gold Medal at 2024 Olympic Games
In another close match, Mallory Swanson was the hero for the USWNT in the 57th minute. Scoring her fourth goal of the tournament in her 100th cap for the USWNT, Swanson brought her country to Olympic glory again in a 1-0 victory.
Here is the recap of Saturday’s Gold Medal Match:
Brazil didn’t waste time after kickoff. In the first five minutes, Brazil put the USWNT on their heels early with quick scoring chances. In the 14th minute, it appeared that Ludmila put Brazil on the scoreboard but VAR ruled her offside, giving the Americans a lucky break. Brazil kept countering the American defense in the minutes after, but the offside flag would continue to be on the Americans’ side.
In the 24th minute, Swanson came close to giving the USWNT the lead. After two earlier Olimpico efforts from the corner, Swanson blitzed down the wing and came close to a one-on-one with the Brazilian keeper, but her shot was saved.
American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher came up huge in the 45+2′ to keep the game even heading into halftime. Midfielder Gabi Portilho was inside the six-yard box but was denied by Naeher who was quick onto the ball.
The half-time whistle was a moment of relief for the USWNT who could’ve been down 2-0. In her first major final after being in charge of the USWNT for just 70 days, Emma Hayes was going to need more from her team entering the next 45 minutes. Just like against Japan and Germany, the Americans were playing a bit behind after the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, the USWNT controlled the pace, leading to Swanson’s goal in the 57th minute. Korbin Albert fed Swanson a pass from the midfield and Swanson found herself with plenty of space to convert for her fourth goal of the tournament. Out of the 12 goals the USWNT scored during the Olympics, the newly named “Triple Espresso” trio of Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman scored 10 of them.
After what looked like a potential offside from Swanson on the goal, she was indeed onside. Smith was offside but was able to move out of the way just in time to keep the play alive.
Rodman was close to doubling the lead in the 63rd minute but was denied after cutting inside and trying to bend her shot into the far corner. Smith almost capitalized in the 71st minute after a through ball from Swanson, but was called offside. In the 74th minute, Hayes made her first substitution of the match, bringing on Emily Sonnet for Tierna Davidson.
Smith was brought down by Brazilian defender Tarciane in the 81st minute, who was booked following the incident. Smith was limping after being tackled and Hayes replaced her with Lynn Williams in the 84th minute.
Brazil came brutally close to scoring an equalizer in the 90+4′, but Naeher again made a huge save to prevent the match heading into extra time. In the 90+6′, Swanson came off for Casey Krueger. The added 10 minutes of stoppage time were chippy between the USWNT and Brazil but the Americans managed to hang on to claim gold.
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
