Emma Hayes secured her first major honour as head coach of the USWNT on Saturday with a 1-0 win against Brazil to claim gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The USA were targeting their fifth Olympic gold medal having previously won the competition in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012. Brazil, on the other hand, were hoping to secure their first gold medal having secured silver medals against the USA in both 2004 and 2008.

Brazil started the game the better side and surprisingly saw more possession in the first half against their opponent. At the break, Brazil had three shots on target compared to the USA’s two.

Moments before half time, Gabi Portilho very nearly gave Brazil a deserved lead, but she was denied by an outstanding save by USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Hayes’ side required major improvements in the second half, most notably in passing accuracy, with just 55% at the halfway stage.

They did exactly that as it took a little over ten minutes in the second half for the USA to break the deadlock. A through-ball from Korbin Albert was picked up by Mallory Swanson, who was able to beat the offside trap, and she placed a right-footed effort into the bottom corner to give her side the lead.

Brazil responded to going behind by bringing on Marta for one final dance. The 38-year-old missed their previous knockout games due to suspension but, with 30 minutes left to play, Brazil needed to throw everything at the USA in order to claw their way back into the game and turned to the iconic veteran.

The USA looked comfortable for the remainder of the game as Brazil’s need to get forward left spaces in behind for them to exploit. The likes of Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman came close to extending their lead, but the one goal proved to be enough.

Brazil’s changes allowed them to create some positive moments in the latter stages of the game, including a free-kick from Marta that curled narrowly over the bar, but Arthur Elias’ side were unable to regain the foothold and energy they had in the first 45 minutes.

Naeher produced another goal-saving moment in added time as Adriana attempted a headed effort from the centre of the box. The USA goalkeeper got a strong hand to it and cleared the danger for the second time in the game.

The USA were able to hang on in the final stages to clinch gold and round off the women’s football tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. For Hayes, she guided the USWNT to a major honour after just 10 games in charge.

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