There are four members of Emma Hayes' triumphant team in GOAL's Best XI, while one of Brazil's silver medalists also squeezes into the attack
The United States women's national team might have endured a worst-ever Women's World Cup performance last summer, lost a ton of experienced players in the past 12 months and only been officially taken over by head coach Emma Hayes just nine weeks before the Olympics kicked-off, but it still stood on top of that podium on Saturday with a record-extending fifth gold medal.
Unsurprisingly then, the U.S. is well-represented in GOAL's Team of the Tournament, particularly by its attack, which thrived at Paris 2024. But there is also plenty of recognition for Brazil, which reached a major international final for the first time in 16 years, as well as others who shone in France, whether that resulted in a medal or not.
So, what does GOAL's Best XI look like? Here's who made the cut…
Getty ImagesGK: Lorena (Brazil)
While an honorable mention must be given to Ann-Katrin Berger here, who saved a last-minute penalty in the bronze medal match to ensure victory for Germany after being the hero in the quarter-final shootout against Canada, it's Brazil No.1 Lorena that gets the nod in this XI.
That's because she too came up with penalty heroics in the last eight, denying Sakina Karchaoui from 12 yards as the Selecao went on to beat France 1-0, before producing perhaps the best goalkeeping performance of the tournament in the semi-finals to help her nation unexpectedly reach the gold medal match.
Though the 27-year-old was among the Brazil players who drew criticism for time-wasting, no one could deny that she was outstanding in her shot-stopping in the last four, making eight saves as the South Americans went 3-0 up and, after some late and desperate pressure from Spain, eventually won 4-2. Lorean was a huge reason why her nation emerged from this tournament on the podium.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Giulia Gwinn (Germany)
It was fitting that Giulia Gwinn netted the goal that secured the bronze medal for Germany given how much of a key role the fullback played at both ends of the pitch for her team.
The Bayern Munich star netted twice in the tournament, along with a successful spot-kick in the shootout victory over Canada in the quarter-finals, and she was again nerveless from 12 yards to beat Spain on Friday in a result that went some way to papering over the devastating group-stage exit Germany suffered at the World Cup 12 months ago.
GettyCB: Naomi Girma (United States)
It's difficult to know what else to say about Naomi Girma. Those who have watched the 24-year-old regularly in her first few years in the NWSL have known about her quality for a while and, over the past few weeks, she has now ensured that the whole world understands just why Emma Hayes, head coach of the United States women's national team, described her as "the best defender I've ever seen".
No one completed more passes at the Olympics than Girma, her total some 120 ahead of anyone else, and she also managed to create four chances from those, despite playing at centerback. That's not to underrate her defensive work, though. While the statistics don't always show her impact off the ball, given her strong positioning prevents the need for desperate actions, Girma was among the USWNT's best players for winning possession back.
Getty ImagesCB: Tarciane (Brazil)
One of the best sights throughout Brazil's run to the gold medal match were the regular celebrations from Tarciane when she was simply doing her defensive work. Ranked 14th on GOAL's NXGN list back in 2022, the 21-year-old has long been touted as an exciting prospect for the future, and this year has seen her take huge steps towards realizing that potential. After moving to one of the game's best leagues in April when she joined the Houston Dash in the NWSL, Tarciane backed that up with a starring role in Brazil's silver medal-winning tournament.
Head coach Arthur Elias was not shy in rotating his team throughout the Olympics, yet Tarciane remained a fixture, starting five of Brazil's six matches. In those, she was a colossus, with her performance against Spain in the semi-final a particular highlight.