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USWNT win gold medal at 2024 Paris Olympics: Team USA down Brazil, Marta 1-0 to win fifth Summer Games

Mal Swanson was the difference maker with a second half goal that was all the U.S. needed

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A new look version of the U.S. women's national team collected a first Olympic gold medal in 12 years on Saturday, when they notched a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brazil at Paris' Parc des Princes courtesy of a goal from Mallory Swanson.

The game's lone goal came in the 57th minute, when Korbin Albert played a smooth pass to Swanson, who evaded Brazil's offside trap. Swanson then darted towards goal and scored from close range, scoring her fourth goal of the Games. The Paris Olympics have served as a breakout tournament of sorts for Swanson, who has long been regarded as the future of the USWNT's attack. but missed the Women's World Cup last year after tearing her patella tendon. She lived up to the billing in France, allowing the U.S. to go on a gold medal-winning run.

Swanson's goal was a major reprieve for the USWNT, who were on the back foot for much of the game beforehand. Brazil took eight shots in the first half, getting close to scoring with chances from Ludmila and Gabi Portilho. While Alyssa Naeher came up big on a few occasions with saves, Brazil were a bit wasteful in front of goal and were unable to capitalize on their chances. Swanson's goal disrupted the momentum and allowed the U.S. to claw their way back into the game as Brazil got a bit sloppier to finish the game off.

This marks the fifth gold medal the U.S. have won in women's soccer, extending their lead as the most successful team in the competition's history. This, though, is the first gold medal for each member of the 18-person roster, as well as new head coach Emma Hayes.

The gold medal match also marked Marta's final appearance in a major international tournament for Brazil, and she picked up her third Olympic silver medal along the way. Though the gold medal eluded her during her two decades on the pitch for her national team, her reputation as one of the game's legends and trailblazers is intact.

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BRA 0, USA 1

57' The USWNT may not have been the better team today, but they break the deadlock courtesy of their best player today -- Mallory Swanson. She makes a run towards goal and perhaps just evades the offside trap to score her fourth goal of the Olympics from close range. The goal is undergoing a review for offside and after a brief check, the USWNT get the green light and so Swanson gives her side the advantage in her 100th cap.
 

USWNT's history of success

The USWNT might be back in the gold medal match for the first time since 2012, but there's no question they are the most storied team in the Olympics. They have medaled at every Olympics but 2016 since women's soccer became a part of the event, and will extend that streak no matter what today with either the gold or the silver. They will, though, extend their streak as the most successful women's soccer team at the Olympics with a fifth gold medal in Paris should they make it all the way.

  • Atlanta 1996: Gold medal
  • Sydney 2000: Silver medal
  • Athens 2004: Gold medal
  • Beijing 2008: Gold medal
  • London 2012: Gold medal
  • Rio de Janeiro 2016: Quarterfinals
  • Tokyo 2020: Bronze medal
 

Hello and welcome!

Twelve years after winning gold at London's Wembley Stadium in front of a packed house that included Emma Hayes, the USWNT are back in the gold medal match at the Olympic Games. The last 12 years have been full of ups -- like the team's 2015 and 2019 World Cup wins -- and downs -- most notably, last year's round of 16 exit at the World Cup. A new look team has exceeded expectations since their disappointing result in Melbourne last year, and can complete the redemption narrative in style in Paris today with a fifth gold medal.

They face an equally ambitious Brazil side, though, who have their own redemption to chart after exiting last year's World Cup in the group stages. They also have the chance to collect the biggest accolade of Marta's storied career in her final match at a major international tournament -- the winner's medal that has eluded her. She won silver in 2008 in Beijing as the U.S. took gold, and also finished as a runner-up at the World Cup a year earlier, when Germany won the whole thing in China.

The narratives are strong for today's match, and hopefully the action will live up to the billing. Stick around for pre-game coverage, as well as updates post-kickoff.

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