The U.S. women’s soccer team has once again proven their dominance on the world stage by clinching the gold medal at the Paris Olympics after a thrilling final match against Brazil. The highly anticipated showdown saw Mallory Swanson, playing in her 100th match for the U.S., score the decisive goal in the 57th minute, securing victory for her team.
The U.S. team entered the final undefeated, but Brazil posed a formidable challenge early on. Brazilian forward Ludmila had a clear opportunity in the second minute, only to see her shot saved by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Despite Brazil’s early pressure, the U.S. defense held firm, and a goal from Ludmila in the 16th minute was disallowed for offside. In stoppage time, Naeher’s heroics with a one-handed save on Adriana’s header ensured the U.S. emerged victorious.
The defeat marked another heartbreak for Brazil and their legendary star, Marta. The six-time world player of the year, who announced her retirement earlier this year, has never won a Women’s World Cup or an Olympics. Despite her illustrious career, Marta’s quest for Olympic gold remains unfulfilled, with the 38-year-old first appearing at the Games 20 years ago in Athens.
To reach the final, both the United States and Brazil navigated a competitive field of rivals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Twelve nations in total qualified for the tournament, with the Americans and Brazilians emerging as the top contenders after defeating Germany and Spain in the semifinals. The U.S. secured their spot in the final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Germany, with forward Sophia Smith scoring the winning goal in overtime.
The U.S. women’s team now holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals, with five titles to their name. This latest triumph over Brazil marks the third time the Americans have defeated their South American rivals in an Olympic final, having previously claimed victory in 2004 and 2008. The last time the U.S. women’s team stood atop the podium was at the 2012 Games in London, with Germany and Canada winning gold in 2016 and 2021, respectively.
Celebrity spectators, including Tom Cruise, Megan Rapinoe, and Sue Bird, were in attendance at the Parc des Princes to witness the thrilling final. The victory over Brazil adds to the U.S. women’s team’s legacy of success in Olympic competition, cementing their status as one of the most dominant forces in women’s soccer.