Gold medalists team USA react during the victory ceremony of the women's football at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
PARIS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States won their fifth Olympic women's football gold medal after they labored to a 1-0 win over Brazil at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
Mallory Swanson scored the only goal in the 57th minute when she made a perfectly-timed run to meet a through-ball from Korbin Albert before clinically firing home.
Brazil looked more dangerous from early on. After just two minutes, Ludmila raced onto a one-touch pass with only U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher to beat, but Naeher was equal to her effort.
In the fourth minute of injury time, Brazil's last attack ended in futility when Naeher stretched herself to block a header from Adriana.
Marta, who had been suspended for the quarterfinal and semifinal, came on in the 61st minute. But the 38-year-old could not work her magic before a well-organized American team.
Earlier this year, the Brazilian legend suggested that she would retire from international football after the Paris Olympics.
Following their failures in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, this is the third time Brazil have lost to the United States in the Olympic women's football final.
The United States also won gold medals in the 1996 and 2012 Olympic Games. ■
Marta (front) of team Brazil competes during the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Marta (front) of team Brazil competes during the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Marta of team Brazil celebrates after the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Yasmim (L) of team Brazil and Trinity Rodman of team USA compete during the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Team Brazil celebrate after the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Mallory Swanson (C) of team USA shoots during the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Marta (front) of team Brazil competes during the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Marta of team Brazil reacts before the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Team USA celebrate after winning the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Team USA celebrate after winning the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Mallory Swanson (2nd R) of team USA shots during the women's gold medal match of football between USA and Brazil at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
