2024 Paris Olympics: USWNT takes Olympic gold in Paris, ending 12-year drought with 1-0 victory over Brazil

The USWNT have started the Emma Hayes era with a stellar run. Since Hayes officially joined the squad as head coach in May, the U.S. has earned nine wins and one draw, including the first Olympic gold medal since 2012.

There are still things to work on, certainly, but it's delight to see after some of the struggles of the past few years. And a major title the year after falling early in the World Cup adds some confidence to this team. The Hayes era is here, and it's just getting started.

The USWNT's gold medal drew attention from some big names in the sports world — even a few that are going for gold themselves. LeBron James congratulated the team on its win...just a few hours before he and the U.S. men's basketball team take on France in their own gold medal match.

The U.S. also got a shoutout from A'ja Wilson, who competes with Team USA tomorrow for an eighth straight gold.

Morgan was not selected for this Olympic roster, but was still cheering on her teammates at home. She gave them a shoutout before the win and gave another to Alyssa Naeher after one of her massive saves.

With that game, Marta's international career has likely come to an end, at least in terms of major tournaments. Marta now earns her third silver after earning two Olympics silver medals in 2004 and 2008; though she holds many individual accolades, she will finish without a major international title.

And that's the game! It's the Gold Cup all over again, as the U.S. takes a 1-0 win over Brazil for a major title.

Brazil pushes forward again, but a handball on Marta saves the U.S. from an additional threat.

Casey Krueger comes in for Malloy Swanson, with Hayes opting to shore up the defense for the final minutes.

Another great save from Naeher, as Brazil restarts quickly after the brief pause.

Lindsey Horan goes down after her head collides with Rafaelle's shoulder. Some members of the crowd aren't happy with the delay, but Horan is now surrounded by the medical team, who are testing her for a potential concussion. Horan is sitting up and eventually gets to a stand. She goes off the field briefly but does not appear to need a sub.

Phew! Two very very close calls from Brazil, with Sonnett getting the ball out first and then Naeher getting a huge save. Naeher is having another outstanding game.

Another Brazilian shot is broken up by Girma, but Brazil gets it right back in. Sonnett clears this time, and on the third Brazilian shot, Naeher is able to grab it. The USWNT defense is holding up well, but Brazil is coming harder on offense now.

Ten minutes of extra time. That gold is within the United States' reach now.

Another save by Naeher, who gets her hands on Adriana's shot and holds it to the ground.

Sam Coffey just trips Adriana and Brazil gets a very dangerous free kick outside the box, but Marta's kick sails over the goal. Not what she was hoping for, but the U.S. gets out of that one unscathed.

A dangerous opportunity from Brazil is broken up by Sonnett, who intercepts Marta's cross into the center. Brazil is trying to amp up the pressure in the final minutes, but the U.S. has realigned on defense.

Oustanding work from Crystal Dunn, who boxes out a Brazilian to get the ball out of bounds for a goal kick and avoid another corner.

Hayes makes her next substitution, replacing Sophia Smith — the birthday girl — with Lynn Williams. Brazil uses its final substitution as well, replacing Lauren with Rafaelle.

Another good sequence, as the USWNT gets in and around the box and Albert takes a big shot that goes wide. Fair more control here for the U.S. in the second half.

Lindsey Horan takes the direct free kick, but it goes right into the Brazilian wall. Horan then kicks it out on the rebound.

A chaotic series, as the Brazilians get a strong chance that is fended off by the defense, followed by a U.S. run up the field that ends with Sophia Smith drawing a foul just outside the box. Tarciane is given a yellow card, and the U.S. is given a huge opportunity to double the lead.

Another Brazilian corner kick is kept out by the United States, and Yasmin's attempted shot goes sailing over the top. She looks particularly frustrated, as do much of the Brazilian team.

With a little over 15 minutes (plus stoppage time) remaining, Emma Hayes makes her first sub of the match, replacing Tierna Davidson with Emily Sonnett. Davidson missed two games with an injury earlier in the tournament, and is clearly still on somewhat limited minutes. Now, with the U.S. holding a lead, Hayes is replacing one experience defender with another.

Another corner kick for the U.S., but Swanson's ball goes too far over the box.

Brazil's Lauren is down and looks in pain after a non-contact injury in her right leg. Brazil opts to not use its final substitution after Lauren gets some stretching and stays in the game.

Brazil gets another corner, but it goes over the heads and Crystal Dunn gets it out. Both teams have four corners each, but haven't been able to score off of them yet.

And now Smith gets a shot, but hers goes just wide as well. Brazil is getting sloppier on defense, and the U.S. is taking advantage of those mistakes.

Trinity Rodman breaks through, but her shot goes wide left. It would've been a banger and she knows it...but still, a great look for the U.S.

Swanson gets another run, but it's broken up. Brazil is trying to up the pace again after letting it settle during the first part of this half, but the U.S. looks stronger on the back of that goal.

Marta, who has said that this is her final major international tournament with Brazil, comes on for Ludmila and takes the captain's band from Adriana. The 38-year-old forward is a legend in the game, but also has the ability to change games for Brazil.

The goal stands! Swanson breaks the draw in the 57th minute, taking advantage of Brazilian missteps to take the lead and put the U.S. in a much more comfortable place.

The USWNT scores with a brilliant assist from Korbin Albert, as Swanson gets the fabulous finish. The play will be checked for offsides and it'll be close.

A great chance doesn't go through, as Horan threads the ball through to Rodman but overshoots the kick.

Brazil gets a good chance with a throughball from Gaby Portilho to forward to Ludmila. Fox gets her foot on the ball first, and draws the foul to give the ball back to the U.S.

Vitoria Yaya is still being tended to on the sideline, looking to be in pain. Still unclear what the injury could be but it's likely something on her lower body.

The U.S. finally gets a couple of good looks, with a good look from Smith across to Swanson, followed by a few more chances. Sam Coffey eventually takes a kick with way too much sauce and it goes out, high over the goal.

Brazilian midfielder Vitoria Yaya is down, and is eventually taken off on a stretcher. It is unclear what was wrong, but she is replaced by Ana Vitoria.

Sophia Smith gets a great run and an attempted pass to Mallory Swanson that is broken up by Brazil's defense, but the Brazilians quickly turn it around to the other end of the field. Once again, the United States is struggling on those transitions, but that kind of offensive play is exactly the kind that could lead to a goal.

Brazil's Gaby Portilho gets an early run, but Tierna Davidson does a great job of holding her off, and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

The second half is underway for USA vs. Brazil. Will the U.S. be able to fend off Brazil and break the stalemate to take gold?

Even with a tough first half, the United States has some USWNT legends in the house to cheer them on. Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Ali Krieger — all champions themselves — are in Paris's Parc des Princes showing their support.

This game might be a tough one, but luckily some things — Trinity Rodman putting defenders through a spin cycle — never change.

This is not the kind of game the U.S. would like to be having, with the defense looking unsettled and the team unable to hold the kind of control over the ball that they're used to. It's scoreless at least — thanks to Alyssa Naeher — but Brazil has been far more of a threat in this first half.

The best option for Emma Hayes and the USWNT is to make some substitutions at halftime or early in the half. A few fresh legs, especially to shore up the defensive end, will be key.

In terms of offense, the USWNT's best chance is to wait for Brazil to make a mistake and nail a shot. With this front three, it's absolutely possible to take a lead with that strategy, but they need to keep Brazil out of the net first.

It's been a fast, physical game so far, with Brazil taking advantage of a tired U.S. squad to get in several good looks.

Another shot from Brazil catches the defense off-guard but goes out. This is the most unsettled the U.S. defense has looked all tournament, and they have been lucky with some of these misses.

Gaby Portilho gets in a shot that catches the back line off-guard and is barely saved by Naeher. Fox is able to keep Ludmila from getting the rebound and it goes out for a corner. Incredible save by Naeher, but one that ideally she wouldn't have to make.

Swanson takes a free kick from far outside the box, but Brazil gets a head on it. Korbin Albert has been officially warned after a sloppy foul on Ludmila.

Another Brazilian corner kick. Lindsey Horan gets her head on it to get it out to Smith, but Brazil kicks it off Smith to get the throw-in. The U.S. has been struggling on transitions, unable to hold on to the ball after fending off Brazilian set pieces and plays. It's something to work on as the game continues.