Paris 2024 football: USWNT wins incredible fifth Olympic gold over Marta’s Brazil
The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) have been crowned women’s Olympic football champions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, defeating Brazil 1-0 at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, 10 August.
Mallory Swanson scored the decisive goal in a tight contest to secure the Americans’ astonishing fifth gold, in what was her 100th appearance for her nation, with legendary forward Megan Rapinoe and Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise watching on from the stands.
Brazil takes home silver for the third time in their history after Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Germany won the battle of the Europeans on Friday, 9 August, beating Spain 1-0 to the bronze medal thanks to Giulia Gwinn’s second-half penalty.
Brazil legend Marta bows out with a silver medal in her sixth and final Olympic Games
Hayes’ first major title as USWNT boss
The first half was very much a tale of both goalkeepers keeping their sides in this tie, with plenty of chances afforded at either end of the pitch.
Ludmila was denied by Alyssa Naeher just five minutes in, while at the other end, Lorena kept Swanson at bay.
It looked as though the Seleção had stormed into the lead 15 minutes in, when Ludmila thumped an effort past Naeher but it was ultimately pulled up for offside.
Gabi Portilho aimed to keep on the pressure with a half-volley from just inside the area, but the USA’s stalwart between the sticks pulled off another crucial save to keep things level at the break.
Despite a lacklustre start to the second 45, the U.S. needed just one chance to break the deadlock and it came almost out of nowhere.
Korbin Albert picked up the ball in the middle of the park and played a pinpoint pass into the path of Swanson who, one on one, kept her composure to slot it home with 57 minutes on the clock.
It was at this point Brazil turned to their bench - to Marta.
The 38-year-old looked to orchestrate clear-cut chances for her side, but Brazil just couldn’t find a way past a Naomi Girma-led backline.
Despite their best efforts, the South Americans were subject to an Olympic final defeat against the USWNT for a third time since 2004.
Emma Hayes’ side put in a resolute showing across all areas of the pitch, with Naeher standing tall once more to deny a certain equaliser at the death.
“I’m very emotional,” the British coach told Eurosport at full-time. “It has been a dream of mine to be in this position."
She went on to thank her late father, who encouraged her to take on this new managerial role.
“They [USA players] have received me so well and have taken on board everything I have asked [of them], they are tremendous people, players, and role models - I love them,” she said.
“The crowd were tremendous, Brazil were tremendous - I’m just speechless, to be honest, I’m in shock.”
Just over 70 days into her tenure, this is no doubt only the start for Hayes and this golden era.
USWNT coach Emma Hayes dedicated the Olympic gold win to her late father
Football: Women’s podium
Gold: United States
Silver: Brazil
Bronze: Germany
All results on Olympics.com.