Back on Top! U.S. Women's Soccer Beats Brazil to Win Olympic Gold for First Time Since 2012

Mar. 15, 2025

Mallory Swanson jumps into Lindsey Horan’s arms in celebration.Photo:Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

The U.S. women’s soccer team is back on top of the world.

The squad defeated Brazil 1-0 at Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris to win Olympic gold, their first since 2012.

Instead, the USWNT was victorious, and embraced each other all over the pitch as “Born in the USA” played over the stadium speakers.

Mallory Swanson after putting the U.S. up 1-0.Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

This is the USWNT’s first major international win since the 2019 World Cup, when they beat the Netherlands for gold. Since then, they’ve had disappointing outings, from their bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 to the 2023 World Cup, where they lost in the round of 16.

Since then, they’ve brought in a new manager in Emma Hayes, and several veterans have been left off the roster as the younger players have become stars, such asTrinity Rodmanand Sophia Smith.

Lindsey Horan embraces manager Emma Hayes as Lynn Williams, Trinity Rodman and Jaedyn Shaw look on.Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Rodman and Smith had told reporters, including PEOPLE, two days before the match that they were too young to remember the last time the USWNT had won gold, in London in 2012. Goal-scorer Swanson, meanwhile, saidshe recalled being a kid watching it in a Buffalo Wild Wings.

“One of my good friends on my team growing up, she texted me the other day saying, ‘Remember we watched the women’s national team in 2012 … win the gold at Buffalo Wild Wings?’ " Swanson, 26, recounted on Aug. 8 in Paris.

“It’s kind of crazy that I have a chance to do so. But yeah, I think that kind of full-circle moment was pretty cool.”

Megan Rapinoe snaps pictures ahead of the gold medal match between the U.S. and Brazil.Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

source: people.com