The United States Women’s National Team won a record fifth Olympic gold medal, and their first since 2012. Mallory Swanson scores for Brazil on a sunny afternoon in southwest Paris. .
The Americans are back on top under new coach Emma Hayes, a year after a poor World Cup with four goals in as many games that raised questions about whether they have permanently relinquished their status as the gold standard of women’s soccer. The toast of the American soccer establishment after just nine games, his team isn’t far behind.
“I’m very emotional. It’s been a dream of mine to be in this position,” Hayes said after the match. “I have to thank my dad because he’s the one who put me in this position to coach an incredible group of players who welcomed me so well and took everything I asked for. They are tremendous men and players and role models. Yes, I love them.”
It wasn’t always comfortable for the Americans, who went into Saturday as favourites, but were the worst team for almost an hour after needing extra time to advance to the quarter-final and semi-final stages. But they leave the French capital as deserving Olympic champions behind a stunningly renewed attack from Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith – in the front row. It’s called triple espresso – and four backs marshaled by centre-back Naomi Kirma, the only bright spot in last summer’s World Cup washout, who cemented her status as one of the world’s best centre-backs at the age of 24.
Qualifying underdogs after scraping through the group stage as one of the two third-placed teams, the Selecao flew out early in the game and immediately dispelled any concerns that they could sit in the low block. They should have gone ahead in the second minute when Ludmila tried from 10 yards, only to send her shot into the hands of Alisa Neher. A brief spell of American possession led to a series of corner kicks, but it wasn’t long before Ludmila was at it again. The Chicago Red Stars forward appeared to finish beautifully from an acute angle on the quarter-hour mark. She missed connecting with Gabi Portilho’s long cross to miss the third in the first 18 minutes.
“America!” Playing in front of a raucous, well-lubricated crowd that broke into battle cries of “Bra-chill!” Every few minutes, America was careless, while their entire backs were broken by a dogged Seleção attack. Brazil’s offensive tenacity was taxed by the U.S. team’s already shortened Olympic schedule and Hayes’ reluctance to go to the bench. In the 58th minute, Corbin Albert, a replacement for Hayes in the semi-final against Germany, threaded a perfect through ball to Swanson. Look in style. Swanson’s fourth goal of the Olympics was the latest in a partnership with Rodman and Smith, who finished with 10 of the team’s 12 goals during their run to gold.
Brazil manager Arthur Elias was a sign of bringing on Marta, but his introduction did nothing to slow down the plucky Americans, whose chances came in quick succession. Ten days after her international career looked set to end with the ignominy of a red card, the six-time FIFA Women’s Player of the Year did everything she could to help Brazil win their first major championship in half an hour.
Brazil’s final chance came in the 88th minute when Marta’s free kick from the dangerous area curled over the woodwork. But Nehar finally put an end to a thrilling contest with an acrobatic save from Adriana Heder during 10 minutes of injury time. The save was Neharin’s fourth clean sheet of the tournament spanning the entire knockout stage. By then, celebrations had begun in the arena among the American fans.
Three hundred and seventy-one days after their exit from the World Cup on penalties, the US have completed a dramatic turnaround in sensational form after Megan Rapinoe sent her effort flying over the crossbar. They jumped and celebrated en masse as Rapinoe pumped his fist from the stands.
