USWNT vs Brazil Olympic final — live updates (2024)

The USWNT are Olympic champions again after a 1-0 victory against Brazil in the final soccer match at the Paris Games.

Mallory Swanson scored the only goal of the game, while the USA were also indebted to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who made a fine late save to deny Brazil’s Adriana.

This is the fifth time the USWNT have won gold at the Olympics and the first time since London 2012.

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For the second time today!

The United States flag is being raised.

The USWNT players belting it out.

Germany, having had some time to reflect on their semifinal loss, can maybe enjoy receiving their bronze medals.

Brazil, meanwhile, have just lost very recently, on this pitch, and were so close to the gold.

Some of their players look disappointed as they wear their silver medals.

In time, I'm sure they will come to appreciate them.

Germany's players are smiling on the medal podium as they have bronze medals placed around their necks.

They might have been frustrated after losing against the US in the semifinal but being an Olympic medalist is an incredible achievement.

There was something just a little bit magical about seeing Marta enter the gold medal match and strap on the captain’s armband in the 61st minute. Call it sentimentality or call it respect, even the pro-USA crowd paused in their chanting to cheer for the GOAT herself.

Marta has long plied her international career far from home to bring renown to a program that, at least until recently, hasn’t managed to give back to her as much it took.

It was interesting that Marta came on for Ludmila, who was nearly singlehandedly the biggest threat in front of the U.S. goal in the first half.

Marta lingered off of the center backs in hopes of disrupting their shape and spacing on quick transition, which made sense given the success Brazil was having stretching the U.S. You can’t not track Marta even as you know she’s trying to warp you like a Photoshop tool.

But it wasn’t enough for Brazil as the U.S. withstood waves of late attacks, exhorted by Marta’s efforts around the box. Afterwards Marta could be seen speaking in teammates’ ears, hugging staff, standing strong amidst the tears around her, ever the beacon.

She departs this Olympics as a silver medalist, but no medal, no matter the color, could truly encompass her career. Read more below.

Throughout this tournament, the USWNT has made a point of threatening teams early in games to set a tone of dominance whenever possible. In each of their first five games, the United States held an advantage in the balance of expected goals.

Brazil came out with a point to prove, setting themselves up to not just contain the United States attack, but create their own threat. They achieved it quite simply: having just four field players in the central third, while camping a center back, a wing back, and a winger in each wide space.

Out of possession, it allowed them to close passing lanes to Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson on the flank. Brazil’s wingers poured pressure upon Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox and drew the center backs into wide areas — creating open pockets in the box to set up dangerous crosses.

Ultimately, Brazil was unable to capitalize with a first-half strike. Alyssa Naeher came up big on multiple occasions to keep the game scoreless, but considering the USWNT’s struggles in midfield throughout this tournament, it was a savvy tactical adjustment by Brazil to neutralize their opponents’ strengths.

The DJ at the Parc des Princes is enjoying whipping up the crowd inside the Paris stadium.

They just finished playing Don't Stop Believin' by Journey and are now into The Final Countdown by Europe.

Sadly, he's singing along off-key into a megaphone like a drunk uncle taking over the mic at a wedding.

Speaking after the match, United States head coach Emma Hayes told Discovery Plus: "I'm very emotional.

"It's been a dream of mine and I have to thank my dad - he's the one who pushed me to this position, to be able to come and coach an unbelievable group of players, who have received me so well and taken on board everything I've asked.

"They are tremendous people and players and role models and I love them.

"I've got my dad's necklace on, it's got an American eagle, and he was with me today and that helped. The crowd were tremendous, Brazil were tremendous, I'm just speechless. I'm in shock."

After working hard to recover from injury in 2023, Mallory Swanson has been as invigorating as the rest of her 'Triple Espresso' comrades throughout these Olympics. After a cagey first half of today’s final, Swanson finally found space beyond the back line to break open a deadlocked match.

Credit to midfielder Korbin Albert for spotting the industry of Swanson and Sophia Smith in the 57th minute, lobbing a ball over the backline seemingly into Smith’s path.

The Portland Thorns forward wisely suspected she was offside, providing a decoy to keep the Brazilian defense on lower alert while Swanson swooped in — from an onside position — to collect and carry the ball.

From there, it was Swanson at her best. It was a sequence worth of opening a gold medal match, and as fine a way to mark a player’s 100th cap as one could possibly imagine.

It’s frankly hard to fathom that Swanson, who only just turned 26 in April, has already completed her first century of USWNT appearances as of Saturday’s final. As the old guard hung up their boots, she finally stepped into the forward line. Read more below!

Some save from Alyssa Naeher in stoppage time to keep out Adriana's header.

Scope it out here.

Marta, 38, she of 200 caps and 119 goals at international level, she of scoring at five consecutive World Cups, and two-time Olympic silver medalist, will not be playing for Brazil next year.

This was her last chance at the Olympics.

What a player she has been.

Emma Hayes mobbed by her players.

Arthur Elias is consoling a tearful Marta.

It's always fascinating to see how a young team will react to the final whistle.

About half the team elected to sprint to Alyssa Naeher, some just collapsed where they were. There were tears, there were hugs, there were plenty of handshakes for Marta.

But in the end, it was Mal Swanson in her 100th cap coming up big. Alyssa Naeher with a few major stops. A team effort of surviving a rough first half and turning it on for the second.

They're setting the stage for the medal ceremony now. The USWNT will be in the gold medal spot for the first time in 12 years.