Mallory Swanson emerged as the hero for the United States, scoring the decisive goal in the closely contested Olympic women’s football final against Brazil, leading the USA to a hard-fought 1-0 victory on Saturday. This triumph not only secured the gold medal for the United States but also marked a record-extending fifth time that they have claimed this prestigious honor. The match took place under the glowing sun of a hot afternoon at the iconic Parc des Princes, where Brazil put forth a valiant effort. However, it was the USA that found the back of the net just before the hour mark, courtesy of Swanson, who celebrated her 100th cap by skillfully running through the defense to finish past goalkeeper Lorena.
This victory represents a significant milestone for the United States, as it is the first time they have won the Olympic title in 12 years. Their gold medal in Paris now joins those previously won in 1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012, further solidifying their dominance in women’s football on the Olympic stage. Notably, the American team has now bested Brazil in three of the finals they have faced each other in, with the South American squad again having to settle for the silver medal. This is reminiscent of their previous experiences, particularly during the finals in Athens back in 2004 and in Beijing four years later, where they also ended up in second place.
For Brazilian legend Marta, the match did not conclude as she had dreamed, as she wrapped up her illustrious Olympic career at the age of 38. She left the tournament with her third silver medal, a bittersweet ending to a remarkable journey. Despite the challenging circumstances, Brazil’s ability to reach the final was a pleasant surprise, especially considering that they had not been widely expected to advance this far in the tournament. The USA’s victory not only illustrates their prowess in women’s football but also highlights their resurgence under the new guidance of English coach Emma Hayes.
Hayes took the helm just in late May, moving over from Chelsea, and she has truly worked wonders in a remarkably short time frame with a team that faced significant challenges just a year ago. Last year, the United States women’s national team was knocked out of the World Cup in the last 16, a disappointing result that raised many questions about the team and its direction. The match on Saturday brought together soccer fans, with former star Megan Rapinoe, who had her international swansong during the last World Cup, among those in attendance, alongside high-profile celebrity Tom Cruise.
Before the match, much of the conversation centered around Marta, who is celebrated as one of the greatest players in the history of women’s football. She had the opportunity to make a grand return for a farewell appearance at the Olympics after completing a two-game suspension related to a red card she received in her team’s last group match. However, in a surprising move, coach Arthur Elias decided to keep the 38-year-old on the bench at the start of the game. This decision may have been influenced by the oppressive heat, highlighting the need for his team to be at peak physical condition to compete effectively against the USA.
In previous Olympic finals, a younger Marta had faced tough losses for Brazil, specifically in the 2004 and 2008 competitions, both of which went into extra time. This final marked the second encounter between the two nations within a year, as the USA triumphed 1-0 in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup final held in San Diego back in March. Following that match, the USA welcomed Hayes as their new coach, and under her leadership, the team secured convincing wins against strong opponents like Japan and Germany in the knockout rounds, setting the stage for their Olympic final showdown.
On the other side, Brazil managed to fight their way through the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams. Against the odds, they achieved surprise victories against the host nation, France, in the quarter-finals, and World Cup champions Spain in the semi-finals, both remarkable feats accomplished without their star player Marta. During the first half of the final match, Brazil’s direct and aggressive approach posed problems for the USA defense. At one point, they even found the net just over 15 minutes into the game. Ludmila skillfully maneuvered around Naomi Girma in the box to score, but the effort was ultimately ruled out for offside.
At the other end of the pitch, Swanson was also denied a goal by Lorena, after making a stunning run down the left wing and bursting into the box. However, it was Brazil that appeared to hold the best chance in the opening half, as captain Adriana executed a precise cross from the right during stoppage time, which Gabi Portilho directed toward goal. Nevertheless, USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher pulled off a remarkable save to keep the score level. The Americans showcased a significantly more potent attack, and they finally broke through at the 57-minute mark. Korbin Albert, playing on her home ground for Paris Saint-Germain, found Swanson with a brilliant pass, allowing her to advance and finish with pinpoint accuracy, marking her fourth goal of the Olympic tournament.
Despite making substitutions including bringing on Marta for the final thirty minutes, the Brazilian team struggled to find their rhythm and never really looked close to equalizing. As the match drew to a close, the veteran Marta attempted a late free-kick but sent it soaring over the bar. Meanwhile, Naeher continued to stand tall in goal, making a crucial save against Adriana’s header during stoppage time. With this victory, the USA secured a remarkable third consecutive 1-0 win, ultimately leading them to claim the title and further solidifying their position as a powerhouse in women’s football.
