Brazil 0-1 USA: Emma Hayes leads America to a golden victory at the Parc des Princes as the former Chelsea boss secures Olympic glory just 12 weeks after leaving Stamford Bridge

In May, Chelsea’s US brains trust somehow saw fit to allow Emma Hayes, the most successful manager in the history of English women’s football, to stroll out of the door.

It is only August but already the Americans’ loss is America’s gain. On a sultry afternoon in Paris, the North Londoner led her new charges to Olympics glory, ramming home the point, as if that were needed, in emphatic fashion.

Sixteen trophies in 12 years at Stamford Bridge followed by a gold medal in 12 weeks. Emma Carol Hayes OBE.

At the Parc des Princes, Mallory Swanson’s second-half poke was enough to crown the Americans queens. This is a talented young group, most of whom ply their trade in the best league on the planet. 

But this was another managerial masterclass from Hayes. Put simply, she always finds a way, and those skills have clearly followed her across the Atlantic, or across the English Channel, at least.

When the 47-year-old arrived the US, giants of the women’s game, were broken. A last 16 exit from last year’s World Cup the worst tournament performance in an illustrious history for a side that had headed Down Under as back-to-back champions.

Few of those in red, white and blue who packed this old stadium, will care about that now.

Brazil, conquerors of world champions Spain in the semi-final, had a goal ruled out in a solid start and had the better of a first half big on effort but low on quality.

In injury time, American keeper Alyssa Naeher pulled off a stunning save to deny Gabi Portilho from close range. Hayes’s group had needed extra-time to see off Japan and Germany and looked leggy in punishing French heat.

However, time and time again those in England have seen Hayes get the best out of what she is given. 

Already, she had identified the counter-attack as the way forward for the skills available to her and on 57 minutes she once again got to see the fruits of her early labours. 

With Brazil pressing, Korbin Albert’s picked up on a loose pass, played in Swanson and, with those in yellow hesitant, she was afforded a number of touches before rolling it into the bottom corner. 

In the stands a watching Tom Cruise approved. It proved to be mission impossible for Brazil, who immediately sent on outgoing legend Marta. At 38, she was playing in her sixth and final Olympics.

The US had chances to kill it but were indebted again to Naeher, who pulled off another reflex stop, this time to keep out Adriana’s header in added time.

That was as close as Brazil got. For Hayes, gold to add to the silverware.