August 11 – With a moment of brilliance from Mallory Swanson, the United States secured a 1-0 victory against Brazil and Marta, in her last international game, to claim a fifth Olympic medal in women’s football at the Parc des Princes.
It was a re-run of the W Gold Cup final the US also won 1-0 in March at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. While the Olympic final was Marta’s last match in Brazilian colours (she was not selected for the W Gold Cup) it was US coach Emma Hayes’ first major tournament in charge following her trans-atlantic move from Chelsea.
The Americans were the favourites and they do like playing in Paris. Their last final in the city was their World Cup win in 2019. The Olympic final was a quite different encounter and needed a goal against the run of play in the 57th minute to win the gold medal match following wins at Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. The Brazilians had to settle for silver yet again, having lost the finals in both Greece and China by a single goal against the US.
Brazil and Ludmilla were rampant in the first half but failed to capitalise on their opportunities. Midway through the first half, they were livid when both the referee and VAR waved away a 22nd-minute penalty claim after Crystal Dunn shut down Adriana. The replay showed that Dunn had clipped the Brazilian’s back leg.
Their opponents had to wait until the 25th minute for their first major opportunity but Swanson was not precise enough with her angled finish.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naehar played a key part in her side’s victory with outstanding saves at the end of both halves – she has proved an unbeatable force for the US women over the past season, more often than not being the difference between winning and losing for a team that is transitioning from a team of aging legends to a more youthful and, presumably eventually, a more expansive, modern and skilful approach to the game under Hayes.
An injury to Brazil’s Vitoria Yaya proved to be the turning point of the final. Brazil’s midfield fell away and after Swanson’s goal, the US had chances to double their lead.
Brazilian manager Arthur Elias reacted with a triple substitution, introducing Marta, who had been suspended for both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, but the superstar failed to get her team back on the rails.
Marta, a silver medallist at the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008, and Brazil, have never won a major tournament.
She said: “I am crying here of gratitude, of happiness. I am not crying because we won silver. Look, how much Brazil had to overcome in this tournament to reach this final. This silver medal restores our pride – when you put on the shirt of Brazil, represent our country, and play with joy, desire, determination, and perseverance. Silver here, gold in life.”
Asked if she’d feature at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, Marta replied: “I will be supporting the girls from the stands.”
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