The US women’s soccer team won its fifth Olympic gold by defeating Brazil 1-0 on Mallory Swanson’s early second-half goal in the tournament final on Saturday at Paris game.
The Americans, who had not won gold since the 2012 London Olympics, completed an unbeaten 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 on Adriana’s header in stoppage time at the Parc des Princes.
The loss is more heartbreak for Brazil and its iconic star, Marta. The six-time 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 third victory for the United States 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 second in the Olympics.
Three years ago in Tokyo, the USA settled for the bronze medal. The Americans were eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Swanson’s goal in the 57th minute came in her 100th game for the United States.
Tom Cruise and former American soccer star Megan Rapinoe were among those in the audience.
The United States also won gold in the 1996 Atlanta Games in the first women’s soccer tournament at the Olympics.