The United States women’s soccer team defeated Brazil, 1-0, to capture gold at the 2024 Olympics on Saturday.
Forward Mallory Swanson netted the contest's lone goal during the 57th minute to give the U.S. the lead.
TEAM USA STRIKES FIRST—AND IT'S MALLORY SWANSON AGAIN!
1-0 IN THE GOLD MEDAL MATCH.#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/rCEQNIbR68— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a handful of key stops, including one in the match’s final minutes, to help the United States keep a clean sheet against one of its biggest rivals.
ALYSSA NAEHER TO THE RESCUE. AN UNBELIEVABLE SAVE IN STOPPAGE TIME. 😱#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/fsJoNKSI40
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2024
According to DraftKings odds, the United States entered the match as favorites to win gold at -105, while Brazil was listed at +380. By halftime, the Americans were -165 to win gold; the Brazilians were +125.
This is the USWNT’s fifth Olympic gold medal and its first since the 2012 Olympics. No other country has won the tournament more than once (Canada, Germany, and Norway are the other three winners). Entering the tournament, the U.S. was considered the favorite to win gold, priced at +160 by oddsmakers. Spain (+200) and host nation France (+365) were given the next-best odds.Saturday's result marks the United States’ first major tournament victory under coach Emma Hayes. The former Chelsea FC manager was hired in November 2023 to fill the USWNT role in a full-time capacity. She coached the U.S. squad for the first time in June 2024 and has only overseen the group for 10 total matches.
For Brazil, the defeat will hand the nation its third Olympic silver medal in women's soccer. The Brazilians also lost the United States in the 2004 and 2008 Games. The match was also the final appearance for legendary forward Marta, who came off the bench in the 61st minute.
