Brazil and Marta will have to wait at least four more years to win their first Olympic gold. In Paris, Lindsey Horan’s Americans outdid the South Americans in terms of pragmatism.
In 1957, Mel Swanson gave the fifth gold medal to women’s football in her country, which also has four World Cups to its name. It couldn’t have been better.
This was the third Olympic final between the two powers. The other two, in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, went to the Americans. The one in Paris did too, despite Brazil’s good performance in the first half.
In the second, however, the Brazilians’ passion was attenuated and the quality of the United States did the rest.
The story could have been different. Brazil came out swinging in a stifling Parisian afternoon. Ludmila, the left-footed winger from Atlético who has just signed for the Chicago Red Stars in the United States, was the first to test a condescending rival defence.
Two minutes into the match, the former Atlético player made a weak shot just a few metres from the goal. After fifteen minutes, the VAR disallowed a goal. Then, Gabi Portilho outpaced the Americans in speed and power and served a tight shot that did not allow Ludmila to reach by a few centimetres.
As in its peculiar journey in these Games – in which it qualified for the quarterfinals with great difficulty as third in its group – Brazil, against the grain of its culture, was more about strength and speed than technique.
Tender at the back and with a rhythm hampered by the Brazilian waste, the ‘US team’ had to give up its choral style and rely on individual players, which it also had no shortage of.
Trinity Rodman, on the right side of the attack, and Mal Swanson, on the left, prowled around the South American goal.
The clearest chance, a run by Swanson ended with the lead facing Lorena, who was slightly off course. Instead of crossing to a better-positioned teammate, the Chicago Red Stars player shot from a narrow angle, making the Gremio goalkeeper’s job easier.
The heat was so intense, reaching 30 degrees with high humidity, that the referee ordered the first of the brief breaks for the players to refresh themselves after half an hour of play. Gabi Portilho crashed into Alyssa Naeher’s hands in the clearest chance just before the break.
A mistake in Brazil’s build-up gave the United States the chance to take the lead. In a move that seemed to be bordering on offside, Korbin Albert assisted Swanson, who finished in a classy 57th minute against Lorena. Tom Cruise smiled from the VIP box, wrapped in his sunglasses.
Minutes later, a moment for the ages. Marta Vieira, who at 38 is considered the best footballer of all time, entered the Parc des Princes after having missed the quarter-finals and semi-finals due to suspension (sent off in the group stage against Spain). The number ’10’ had started the final on the bench by technical decision.
The substitutions ordered by Arthur Elias opened up more spaces for the United States. The ‘US Team’ wasted opportunities, while the Brazilians, more incisive in the last 10 minutes, also failed to find the goal. Marta’s left foot had a good chance from a direct free kick, but she sent it over the crossbar.
The ‘verde e amarela’ players had 10 minutes of extra time. Adriana’s header was saved by Naeher in the best chance for South America and left Brazil on the sidelines against their worst opponent. Before the whistle blew, Rafaelle gave the American captain, Lindsey Horan, a push at the wrong time, which was widely booed by the stadium.
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