Golden Girls: U.S. defeats Brazil 1-0 to win Olympic gold in women’s soccer

The U.S. women’s national soccer team won gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeating Brazil 1-0 in Saturday’s final. The result returns Team USA to the summit of women’s soccer, with its fifth Olympic and first women’s gold medal since the 2012 London Games.

The first half was even, with both teams having multiple scoring opportunities. The U.S. team had one of its best chances halfway through the first 45 minutes, when forward Mallory Swanson had a shot denied at the near post by Brazil’s keeper Lorena.

Brazil, meanwhile, had several chances to get the go-ahead goal, including a kick from forward Ludmila that was ruled offside and a sensational save from U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher that denied a shot from close range by Brazil’s Gabi Portilho in the final minutes of the first half.

But the U.S. had a breakthrough in the second half, when Swanson, who just 16 months ago had a torn patella tendon requiring three surgeries, made a perfectly timed run into the box and beat Brazil’s keeper for a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute.

The U.S. was led by veteran keeper Naeher, who made four crucial saves, including a quick-reaction stop with her right hand in the 94th minute when Brazil’s Adriana was denied in the closing minutes.

The matchup between both teams marked their 41st in international competition. Their fierce battles have shaped a competitive rivalry that has put both teams to the test. But the U.S. ultimately came out on top in this final because of key plays from Naeher and Mallory at timely moments, despite Brazil controlling possession during the match and having equal shots on target.

For team USA’s coach Emma Hayes, who originally hails from England, winning gold is special because of her personal connection with America.

“I come from a place of wanting players to enjoy themselves, and I’ve been at a club for 12 years where I’ve had huge success, but I was desperate to do well for this country and I’m so emotional, because it’s not every day you win a gold medal,” Hayes told NBC Sports. “I love America. It made me, and I always say that. It definitely made me.”

Hayes came to the U.S. women’s team from English club Chelsea in May. She quickly transformed the Americans into a force that saw them take on a fierce opening group that included Germany and Australia before beating Japan and Germany in the quarterfinals and semifinals en route to the gold medal match against Brazil.

Saturday’s final also marked the end of an era in women’s soccer. Brazilian forward Marta played her final match on the international stage, ending a decorated career that saw her win FIFA’s best player of the year six times, score the most goals of any man or woman in the World Cup and hold Brazil’s all-time record for most goals scored in women’s competitions.

The U.S. women’s team congratulated Marta on her career by posting on X, “A legend and one of our sport’s fiercest competitors. Respect.”