PARIS (AP) — U.S. forward Mallory Swanson ran across the field to embrace goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher when it was all over, tears in her eyes.
It was a mixture of joy and relief. The U.S. women’s team had done it, won the gold medal at a rather eventful Paris Olympics.
The tournament started with Canada’s drone-spying scandal. Women’s World Cup winners Spain went home empty handed. Marta played in her last international tournament.
And the United States played with a joie de vivre in France under new coach Emma Hayes.
It was the record fifth Olympic gold medal for the United States, but first since 2012. The Americans had stumbled at last summer’s World Cup with their worst-ever finish in the tournament. As a result, the United States dropped to No. 5 in the world rankings, it’s lowest rank in history.
But Hayes, hired by U.S. Soccer to turn things around, led the team to an international title after only 10 games in person with the team. While she was hired in November, she opted to finish out her 12th season with Chelsea before heading stateside in late May.
The United States went undefeated in a journey across France that took them to Nice, Marseille, Lyon and Paris. In the final at Parc des Princes, they met Brazil, a team they had beaten for the gold medal in both the 2004 and 2008 Games.
As actor Tom Cruise, Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff and former national team star Megan Rapinoe looked on, the U.S. survived a determined Brazil attack for a 1-0 victory.
Swanson scored the lone goal in the 57th minute, warning teammate Sophia Smith not to touch the ball because she was offside, then burying it herself.
Naeher preserved the victory with a one-handed stoppage time save on Adriana’s header.
“We’ve got a special group. It’s been really fun to be a part of,” Naeher said. “I think you saw the unity all tournament long and just that togetherness of this team. This team dug deep and fought hard all the way through.”
The team coalesced around its dynamic group of young forwards — Swanson, Smith and Trinity Rodman — who collectively scored 10 of the team’s 12 goals in France.
Brazil took home its third silver medal, with all three of its losses in the final match to the United States. It was the final international tournament for Marta, the six-time world player of the year who played in her first of six Olympics in 2004 at 18.
Germany, which won the gold in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, won the bronze medal in France with a 1-0 victory over Spain.
Canada plays well despite drone-spying scandal
Before the tournament in France started, Canada was embroiled in a drone-spying scandal that garnered coach Bev Priestman a year-long ban.
New Zealand reported a drone hovering over practice, and authorities detained a Canadian staff member. But as the investigation widened, Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue suggested surveillance of opponents was systemic.
FIFA fined Canada Soccer, banned Priestman and docked the Canadian women six points in the group — a devastating blow.
But Canada won all of its group matches and eked out a spot in the knockout round before falling to Germany on a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in the quarterfinals.
“I can’t quite find the tears because I shed them all this past week,” Canada defender Vanessa Gilles said afterward. “So to have gotten this far, I think is a testament to our group.”
Grateful Marta says goodbye
Marta didn’t win a title in her last big tournament with Brazil, but she left the Olympics with gratitude for an illustrious career.
The fans at Parc des Princes understood the moment and gave Marta a standing ovation as she walked off the field.
“I look back and I remember everything I had to do. I left my family behind when I was 14 to chase the dream of playing football, a sport that hasn’t always been considered to be for women. And today things are very different, and we can say it’s one of the most popular sports, and it keeps growing,” Marta said. “I can’t feel anything but pride at the moment.”
Spain stumbles
Spain went into the Olympics vying to become the first team to win an Olympic title after lifting a World Cup trophy.
Instead, Spain fell in a wild 4-2 semifinal loss to Brazil. Then Spanish star Alexia Putellas had her tying penalty attempt in stoppage time blocked by German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger for a loss in the bronze medal match.
“We’re leaving without the medal we dreamed of, and there’s nothing left to do but keep going, you’re not always going to win,” forward Jenni Hermoso said. “This team still has a lot more to give. Neither when you win are you the best, nor when you lose are you the worst.”
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