PARIS– The United States women’s national soccer team won its fifth Olympic gold medal by defeating Brazil 1-0 on Mallory Swanson’s second-half goal in Saturday’s tournament final at the Paris Games.
The Americans, who had not won gold since the 2012 London Olympics, ended an undefeated run to the title in their first international campaign under new coach Emma Hayes.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher preserved the victory with a one-handed save from Adriana’s stoppage-time header at the Parc des Princes.
The loss is most painful for Brazil and its iconic star, Marta. The six-times World Player of the Year has never won a Women’s World Cup or an Olympics. This is expected to be her last major international tournament.
It was the United States’ third victory over Brazil in an Olympic final. The Americans also beat the Brazilians in 2004, in Athens, and four years later, in Beijing.
Brazil has never finished better than runner-up at the Olympics.
Three years ago, in Tokyo, the USA settled for the bronze medal. The Americans were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Swanson’s 57th-minute goal came in his 100th appearance for the United States.
Tom Cruise and former US soccer star Megan Rapinoe were among those in attendance.
The US also won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, in the first women’s soccer tournament at the Olympics.
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