Paris, France – August 10, 2024; Mallory Swanson of Team USA celebrates after scoring her team’s first goal in the women’s gold medal game between Team Brazil and Team USA at Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
It all comes down to this. After a grueling series of five games in 13 days, the U.S. Women’s National Team faces Brazil for the gold medal. If they win, it will be their first victory since the 2012 London Games, which capped a streak of three gold medals in a row. Since then, the USWNT won bronze in Tokyo and did not win a medal in 2016. The USWNT is coming off two consecutive games that went to overtime.
The USA are led by the “Trident,” aka Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson, who have aptly scored three goals each in the tournament. The team has also been rejuvenated by new coach Emma Hayes, whose sometimes unconventional tactics seem to be resonating with the group.
Saturday’s game will also see the return of Brazilian soccer icon Marta, who was suspended for the last two games after receiving a red card in the group stage. This will be the last international tournament for Marta, who is retiring this year, and her last chance to win her first major international title with Brazil. Marta has two Olympic silver medals from the 2004 and 2008 Games and will be looking to win her first gold medal…but the USA won’t let her take it easy.
How to watch the Olympic gold medal game: USA vs. Brazil
Date: Saturday, August 10
Time: 11am ET | 8am PT
Location: Stade de France | Saint-Denis, France
Channel: : NBC, Telemundo
Streaming: NBCOlympics.com, Peacock, Fubo
Follow Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the USA takes on Brazil in the gold medal game on Saturday.
Live58 updates
Great work from Crystal Dunn to block a Brazilian and put the ball out of play for a goal kick, avoiding another corner.
Hayes makes her next substitution, replacing Sophia Smith – the birthday girl – with Lynn Williams. Brazil also makes its final substitution, replacing Lauren with Rafaelle.
Another good sequence as the USWNT gets in and around the box and Albert takes a big shot that goes wide. This is where the USA have much more control in the second half.
Lindsey Horan takes the direct free kick, but it hits the Brazilian wall. Horan then parries the rebound.
A chaotic series where the Brazilians get a strong chance that is denied by the defense, followed by a run by the USA that ends with Sophia Smith drawing a foul just outside the box. Tarciane receives a yellow card and the USA get a huge chance to double the lead.
Another Brazilian corner is blocked by the USA and Yasmin’s shot attempt goes over. She looks particularly frustrated, as does much of the Brazilian team.
With just over 15 minutes (plus stoppage time) to go, Emma Hayes makes her first substitution of the game, replacing Tierna Davidson with Emily Sonnett. Davidson missed two games earlier in the tournament due to injury and is clearly still seeing limited playing time. Now that the U.S. is ahead, Hayes replaces one experienced defender with another.
Another corner for the USA, but Swanson’s ball goes too far over the penalty area.
Brazilian Lauren lies on the ground in pain after injuring her right leg without physical contact. Brazil foregoes the final substitution after Lauren stretches and stays in the game.
Brazil gets another corner but it goes over their heads and Crystal Dunn takes it. Both teams have four corners each but have not managed to score yet.
And now Smith takes a shot, but her shot also misses. Brazil becomes sloppy in defense and the USA takes advantage of these mistakes.
Trinity Rodman breaks through, but her shot goes wide to the left. It would have been a blast and she knows it…but still a great performance for the USA
Swanson gets another chance but it’s intercepted. Brazil tries to pick up the tempo after slacking off a bit in the first half, but the USA look stronger after this goal.
Marta comes off the bench for her last major international match
Marta, who has said this is her last major international tournament with Brazil, will come on for Ludmila and take over the captaincy from Adriana. The 38-year-old striker is a legend in the game but also has the ability to change games for Brazil.
United States 1, Brazil 0
The goal counts! Swanson breaks the tie in the 57th minute, taking advantage of Brazilian miscues to take the lead and put the USA in a much more comfortable position.
GOAL MALLORY SWANSON
The USWNT scores with a brilliant pass from Korbin Albert, Swanson finishes the play fabulously. The play is checked for offside and it is close.
A great chance is missed as Horan passes the ball to Rodman, who shoots over the goal.
Brazil has a good chance with a through ball from Gaby Portilho, who passes it to Ludmila. Fox gets the ball first with his foot and draws the foul, giving the ball back to the USA.
Vitoria Yaya is still receiving treatment on the sidelines and appears to be in pain. It is still unclear what the injury could be, but it is likely something to her lower body.
The USA finally get a couple of good chances, with a good look from Smith across to Swanson, followed by a couple more chances. Sam Coffey finally shoots with far too much power and the ball goes high over the goal.
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