The U.S. women initially looked like a team that played six games in the last 16 days.
More so than a soccer game, Brazil turned the Paris gold medal match into a track meet.
However, the Americans found new gaps and kept their opponents at bay in the added final 10 minutes to win 1-0 for their first gold medal since 2012 at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
During the 57th minute, Korbin Albert came up with the ball in midfield, and saw Sophia Smith take advantage of the space in the Brazil backfield.
Smith and Mallory Swanson both set off and Alberty lofted a perfect pass through that resulted in the gold-medal winning goal from Swanson and launched the ball into the far right corner.
The American fans erupted with joy at Parc des Princes in Paris and further celebrated after it was confirmed Swanson was not offsides.
The sole goal stood, and it was enough to power through.
With the victory, the U.S. become the first team in women’s soccer to earn five Olympic gold medals, increasing their Olympic soccer total to seven.
Ten minutes was added to the second half and American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a crucial save in the 94th minute to keep the Brazilians from scoring the equalizer.
Brazil’s Adriana received an over-the-top pass, heading it towards the far left corner of the goal, but Naeher had another impressive reaction save in good position to keep the Americans alive.
After a tight first half, the Americans found their chances in the second, but couldn’t find the net again to add comfort to their shallow lead.
During the 63rd minute, Trinity Rodman made a great cut inside the box with the ball on her left foot and she tried to bend it into the far corner.
However, it went wide and she knew it, screaming after for her missed chance.
It was the fourth different starting lineup used by the U.S. throughout the Olympic tournament.
The U.S. seemed to be relieved they entered halftime all tied up at 0-0 after what was a tiresome first half that saw Brazil own all the momentum.
An offsides flag saved them early on in the 14th minute after Ludmila of Brazil beat Naomi Girma — a rarity — off the dribble inside the box to blast the ball past goalkeeper Naeher.
Cheers from Bazil fans filled the air before it turned to cries of disbelief when they saw the side judge hold up the offsides flag.
Ludmila smiled in disbelief as well but replays quickly showed she was offsides.
Brazil, who went without six-time FIFA Player of the Year Marta for the first half, continued to test the Americans’ legs and Swanson challenged Brazil goalkeeper Lorena, narrowly missing her first shot towards the corner.
Marta started on the bench after serving a two-match suspension for a red card.
However, the midfield of Lindsey Horan, Sam Coffey, and Albert could hardly get anything working, and the U.S. truly stayed afloat in the first half thanks to Naeher.
She had a stunning reaction save towards the end of the first half, saving a shot in the box from Gabi Portilho, who was waiting for the ball inside.
Naeher flung her body to the right to save the ball and to help keep the Brazilians at bay before the halfway point.