PARIS-. The United States was crowned champion of women’s soccer of the Olympic Games for the fifth time after beating Brazil 1-0 on Saturday, thanks to Mallory Swanson’s goal at the start of the second half of the final at the Parc des Princes.
The Americans, who had not topped the podium since the 2012 London Games, completed an unbeaten march to the title in their first major international tournament under new coach Emma Hayes.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher preserved the victory with a providential intervention in stoppage time, reaching out to repel Adriana’s header.
It was another painful defeat for Brazil and its star player Marta. The six-time winner of the award for best female player in the world has never won a World Cup or Olympic gold. Paris 2024 was the last major tournament of her career.
For Brazil, this is their third medal in women’s football. But the Verdeamarela are still unable to win gold.
It was the third time the United States had defeated Brazil in an Olympic final, having also done so in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
The best result for the Brazilians was silver.
Three years ago in Tokyo, the United States consoled itself with a bronze medal. The Americans were shipwrecked in the quarter-finals in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
Swanson scored in the 57th minute to mark his 100th cap for the national team.
The United States also won the championship in Atlanta 1996, the first time that women’s football was present at the Games.
Marta was competing in her sixth Games. Her first was in 2004, when she was 18, and she won a silver medal. But she was not in the starting line-up after missing the previous two matches after being sent off for a rough tackle on the Spaniard Olga Carmona at the end of the group stage.
Hayes was appointed manager of the national team in November, but only took the reins in May while completing the season with English club Chelsea – the club won its fifth consecutive title.
With Tom Cruise and legendary American footballer Megan Rapine in the stands, Brazil created the clearest chances in the early stages. Ludmila was drawn in front of goal in the second minute but shot straight at Naeher.
Swanson broke down the left on a counterattack in the 25th minute, but Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena easily blocked the shot.
At the start of the second half, Brazilian midfielder Vitoria Yaya had to leave the match on a stretcher after suffering an injury.
The United States continued to threaten after Swanson’s goal. Sophia Smith had a chance to score a second goal on a counterattack in the 66th but shot wide.
