Hayes has prioritized connection and consistency in France, starting nine players in each of the first five Olympic matches. Lavelle was one of them, and although Albert became the youngest American woman to start an Olympic final (20 years, 302 days), she earned the opportunity with a solid quarterfinal performance against Japan and her winning goal in the group stage finale against Australia. Albert’s insertion also allowed the USA to replicate the midfield (along with Lindsey Horan and Sam Coffey) that blanked Brazil, 1-0, in the Concacaf W Gold Cup Final in March. That was the fourth time the sides met in a major international final. Saturday would mark the fifth, and third at the Olympic Games.

Ninth-ranked Brazil, losers of each of those previous showdowns, started brightly in Paris. Six-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, back from a two-game suspension, began the Gold Medal match on the bench. But fellow Seleção forward Ludmila, the new Chicago Red Stars signing, tested the U.S. early. She slipped behind the USA defense in just the second minute before sending her 10-yard shot straight to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Ludmila then fired the ball past Naeher in the 16th, but the Brazilian was a step offside on her run though the left channel seconds before.

Ten minutes later, the USA took advantage of the game’s wide-open nature and nearly went ahead through Swanson. She blew past Brazil’s Lauren on the left and as center back Tarciane slid in for the tackle, Swanson deftly poked a six-yard shot that was swatted away by goalkeeper Lorena.

That would be the USA’s best chance of the half as the energetic Seleção, which suffered two defeats during the group stage before upsetting France and Spain in the knockout rounds, entered the intermission with momentum (and an 8-2 shot advantage). But the Brazillians didn’t have the lead. Naeher saw to that, making an outstanding reaction save on a stoppage-time redirection from Gabi Portilho.

The USWNT didn’t need multiple chances, its dominant front three just needed the right one. The moment came in the 57th minute as Albert rewarded Hayes’ faith and sent the Brazilian defense into disarray with a nicely-weighted through ball. Smith, who was celebrating her 24th birthday, had the first chance at it. But realizing she might have been a step offside, the striker smartly left it for Swanson. The forward was in alone for the second time and on this occasion, she came through, firing the ball to Lorena’s left.

It was Swanson’s fourth goal of the Olympics and injected energy into the U.S. side, which remained on the front foot. Marta, 38, finally entered the match in the 61st as Brazil sought to craft a storybook comeback for the retiring legend. But gaps were opening, and Rodman was inches from doubling the lead in the 64th minute. Smith then cut to the right and shot wide of the left post a minute later.

The U.S defense solidified as the match wore on and closed off much of the space that had been available in the opening half. Marta curled an 89th-minute free kick over the crossbar and Adriana was cut off by Naeher at the right post seconds later. Provided with 10 minutes of stoppage time, Brazil forced one more outstanding save from the veteran netminder, who leaped to her right to meet Adriana’s header in the 94th.