Mallory Swanson celebrated her 100th cap with a goal in the 57th minute and the United States earned a record fifth gold medal in women’s soccer with a 1–0 victory over Brazil at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
The Americans were playing in their sixth Olympic final in eight appearances and 11th final in 17 world championship appearances.
The United States won its first gold since 2012 in London.
Brazil also finished runner-up in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008). The Brazilians also finished fourth in 1996, 2000, and 2016.
This was the third time the United States and Brazil played in the gold medal match at the Olympics. In those matchups, the United States beat Brazil at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
The United States has the most Olympic gold and most total medals in the history of the competition, winning four golds, one silver and one bronze. Brazil has two silver medals, both coming from gold medal match losses to the Americans.
The Brazilians wanted to play at a frantic pace to keep the United States on its heels. The South Americans were effective in creating chances.
Brazil appeared to take the lead when Ludmila da Silva beat her defender and blasted a shot past goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in the 16th minute. However, da Silva was ruled offside.
Still, Brazil controlled the run of play and the Americans struggled to keep pace with the speed of the game. The Americans began to settle down in the 34 minute and began pressuring Brazil to make errant passes. Forward Swanson was the most dangerous player for the United States.
Brazil came close to scoring again in the first minute of stoppage time but Naeher stopped a point-blank shot from Gabi Portilho. The U.S. midfielders Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, and Lindsey Horanx struggled to string passes together and effectively set the attack against the Brazilians.
Brazil outshot the United States 4–3 and won the possession battle 54 percent to 46 percent.
The pace of the game did not slow down in the second half. Brazil midfielder Vitoria Yaya suffered an injury and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Ana Vitoria.
The United States then took control and Swanson collected a through ball from Korbin Albert and slotted the ball from the center of the penalty area into the bottom right corner.
Brazilian star Marta, the six-time FIFA Player of the Year, entered the game in the 61st minute to provide a spark at age 38. However, Swanson’s goal changed the game’s momentum and Brazil began to chase the ball and absorb the pressure.
Marta had a free kick in the 89th minute but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
There were 10 minutes of stoppage time added and Brazil controlled much of the possession in an attempt to get the tying goal. Naeher had another huge save on a header by Adriana and the United States held on for the victory.
Brazil advanced from the group stage by beating Nigeria 1–0 to open the tournament but the South Americans dropped their next two games to Japan (2–1) and Spain (2–0). However, Brazil edged Australia by one goal for the second third-place knockout berth.
In the quarterfinals, Brazil beat host France 1–0 on a goal by Gabi Portilho in the 82nd minute. The Brazilians then had their most impressive performance with a 4–2 victory over reigning world champion Spain in the semifinal.
Brazil is one of seven teams to have medaled at both the Olympics and the Women’s World Cup, along with China, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.
