Mallory Swanson on Saturday scored the winning goal as the US edged Brazil 1-0 in Olympic women’s soccer final to claim the gold medal for a record-extending fifth time.
Brazil fought hard on a hot afternoon at the Parc des Princes, but the US struck just before the hour mark when Swanson — on her 100th cap — ran through to finish past goalkeeper Lorena.
It is the first time the US have taken the Olympic title in 12 years, their gold in Paris adding to those won in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Photo: AP
“I am just in awe of how hard everyone has worked to get here,” winger Trinity Rodman said. “I believed the entire time, but to finally be able to hold [the gold medal] is so amazing.”
The US have now beaten Brazil in three of those Olympic finals, with the South Americans again having to settle for silver here just as they did in Athens in 2004 and Beijing four years later.
It was not quite the ending that their legendary captain Marta was hoping for, as she bowed out of her sixth and last Olympics aged 38 with a third silver medal.
“We surpassed ourselves throughout the competition to get to the final. That was our main objective, to come away with a medal,” Marta said.
Brazil were never expected to get this far, while the US’s victory confirms their renaissance under new English coach Emma Hayes.
She only arrived from Chelsea in late May, but has worked wonders with a team that a year ago was sent packing from the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the last 16.
“I am very emotional. It has been a dream of mine to be in this position,” Hayes told broadcaster Eurosport.
She described her team as “tremendous people and players and role models, I love them.”
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