The United States women’s national team have won a record-extending fifth Olympic gold medal, and their first since 2012. A Mallory Swanson goal broke open a tightly wound final with Brazil in the 58th minute on a sun-splashed afternoon in south-west Paris.
Barely one year after they were held to four goals in as many games in a dismal World Cup that gave rise to questions over whether they had permanently ceded their status as women’s football’s gold standard, the Americans are back on top under new coach Emma Hayes, who is the toast of the US soccer establishment after just nine games on the job in which her team have yet to trail.
