When the U.S. women’s soccer team plays Brazil in gold medal match on Saturday, the Americans will be going up against a hero of theirs who they say has forever changed the game.
The third Olympic showdown between Brazil and the United States was decided by a single goal, with the USWNT clinching victory once again and their first gold since 2012.
The women's soccer team final was a rematch between Brazil and Team USA, who previously faced off in gold medal matches in 2004 and 2008. In each of those outings, the U.S. team left with gold.
Saturday's final game went scoreless in the first half. Ludmila appeared to score in the 16th minute but it was quickly ruled out for offside.
Forward Mallory Swanson streaked down the left side in the 26th minute but Brazil goalkeeper Lorena easily stopped her shot.
Then, everything changed in the second half.
Swanson made another run on goal, scoring in the 57th minute. It was a milestone game for Swanson, 26. In addition to scoring the winning goal and sole score of the game, with her appearance, she earned her 100th cap.
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The United States went undefeated at the Paris Olympics and didn't allow a goal in any of its three knockout games.
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The USWNT had not won gold at an Olympics since 2012, having lost in the quarterfinals in 2016 and earning the bronze in 2020. New head coach Emma Hayes coached her first match with the team June 1 and came in with a mission of winning.
“I like winning. It’s part of my DNA. I’ve got a team that likes winning, so of course our goal tomorrow is to win the gold medal," she told NBC Olympics on Friday.
Bridgeport's Alyssa Naeher had some tremendous saves, especially in the stoppage time of the second half, to keep Brazil from scoring.
The United States went undefeated at the Paris Olympics and didn't allow a goal in any of its three knockout games.
This was the third gold medal match between the USA and Brazil, and the U.S. has now won all three, including 2004 and 2008.
A number of athletes and celebrities were in attendance for the game, including former USWNT star Megan Rapinoe and actor Tom Cruise, who is rumored to have a role at Sunday's closing ceremony.
How many medals has the U.S. women's soccer team won?
Women's soccer made its debut at the Olympics in 1996. Since then, the United States has won five gold medals. Here's how the USWNT has done:
- 1996 Atlanta Olympics - Gold
- 2000 Sydney Olympics - Silver
- 2004 Athens Olympics - Gold
- 2008 Beijing Olympics - Gold
- 2012 London Olympics - Gold
- 2016 Rio Olympics - Quarterfinals - no medal
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics - Bronze
- 2024 Paris Olympics - Gold
