By Victor Kanayo
The United States of America on Saturday edged Brazil 1-0 in Olympic women’s football final to win gold for a record-extending fifth time.
It was after Mallory Swanson scored the only goal.
As reported by BBC, Brazil fought hard on a hot afternoon at the Parc des Princes, but the USA struck just before the hour mark when Swanson -– on her 100th cap — ran through to finish past goalkeeper Lorena.
It is the first time the USA have taken the Olympic title in 12 years, their gold in Paris adding to those won in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.
They have now beaten Brazil in three of those finals, with the South Americans again having to settle for silver just as they did in Athens in 2004 and in Beijing four years later.
The final encounter means
Brazil legend and captain Marta bowed out of her sixth and last Olympics at 38 year with a third silver medal.
But the 38-year-old multiple winner of the FIFA world player of the year award was left on the bench for the start of the game by coach Arthur Elias.
Perhaps he was mindful of the energy-sapping conditions, and the need for his team to match up physically to the USA.
A younger Marta had played in Brazil’s defeats in the 2004 and 2008 finals, both of which came in extra time.
This was also the second clash between the nations in a final this year, after the USA won 1-0 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in San Diego in March.
