U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Takes the Olympic Gold After Dramatic Last Minute Save

It’s a momentous day for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team at the summer Olympic Games Paris 2024, as they celebrate a thrilling 1-0 win against Brazil, securing gold for the first time since 2012 at the London Olympics .

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The nerve-wracking game, which was held at the Parc des Princes in Paris, was a testament to both the team’s grit and determination to grab the top podium position. The football team was led to victory by Emma Hayes, who officially started as the head coach in May of this year. In an interview with CNN , she said her Olympic experience has “...been unbelievable…It’s honestly much better than I thought it would ever be.”

Hayes continued, “We’re in the gold medal final. I’m sure everybody will dig deep in their reserves to deliver the performance. I have complete and utter faith in this group to be able to do that, so I don’t think that’ll be a problem. We’re here to compete, we’re here to win.”

And win they did. For the first half of the game, neither team was on the board, but perhaps the most memorable moment came in the second half when midfielder Korbin Albert sent a through-ball to forward Mallory Swanson , passing through the Brazilian defense. In the video above, you’ll see Swanson take her time to set up the game-winning shot against Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena da Silva Leite , who ultimately couldn’t block Swanson’s strategic placement.

The celebration that ensued immediately after the goal from both the team and the crowd marked a turning point for the USWNT. Even celebrities and athletes, from Tom Cruise to American former soccer player Megan Anna Rapinoe , looked electrified as they watched the 26-year-old athlete’s gold medal shot.

It wouldn’t have come without the stellar saves from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher either, whose blocks against the Brazilian offense (particularly during the very last minutes of the game) maintained the lead and led the most decorated team in women’s soccer to a fifth Olympic gold medal in Paris.

Hayes was right, the team delivered the performance of a lifetime, and one the U.S. Women’s National Team will never forget.

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