Women’s Olympic Gold Medal match between Sweden and Germany at Maracana Stadium on August 19, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In the clash of two female coaches, double Olympic champion Pia Sundhage could not add to the Golds she won with the United States as Silvia Neid, a World Cup winning coach, finally got her hands on the only title which has eluded the current European champions in her final match in charge of the National Team.

Sweden, who recalled Sofia Jakobsson in place of Stina Blackstenius, began on the front foot seemingly more comfortable in the legendary Maracanã having overcome the hosts there three days earlier. In the ninth minute, Lisa Dahlkvist slid a perfect pass down the line for Lotta Schelin who’s cross into the six yard box was skied over by Olivia Schough.

Germany struggled to play through Sweden’s rigid double yellow lines of defence. Their first shot on target came in the 18th minute from long-range, Anya Mittag barely testing Hedvig Lindahl. Nonetheless it marked a turning point in the game. Two minutes later, Tabea Kemme cut in from the touchline and sent over a cross, Melanie Leupolz got in front of Elin Rubensson and headed over when it seemed easier to score.

In the 25th minute Mittag missed an even better chance, slashing wide from six yards after Lindahl could only parry Leonie Maier’s shot following a superb run. Schelin raced down the right again in the 28th minute and this time shot for goal but over Amulth Schult’s goal. In the 37th minute, from Kosovare Asllani’s cross, Linda Sembrant miscued her volley, it fell to Jakobsson who’s shot was blocked. Honours even at the end of a tight first half.

Nobody was quieter in the first half than German playmaker, Dzsenifer Marozsán. Carrying an injury and shackled by Caroline Seger she struggled to influence the game. That was until the 48th minute when the ball fell to her on the edge of the Swedish penalty area from Leupolz’s cross. One touch to control, then an expert side-footed finish into the top corner of Lindahl’s net. A superb finish.

Blackstenius came on for Jakobsson but Marozsán wasn’t finished yet. After Schelin fouled Sara Däbritz on the left edge of the area in the 61st minute, the new Olympique Lyonnais player’s free kick defeated Lindahl, struck the near post and ricocheted in off the unfortunate Sembrant’s knee.

Sweden responded five minutes later, Asllani freed Seger down the right of the area, the captain crossed for Blackstenius to slide home. Germany should have sealed it in the 69th minute when Alexandra Popp pulled a left-foot volley wide of the goal with Lindahl hopelessly committed.

Lena Goessling came on for tournament top scorer Melanie Behringer soon after and her steadying influence in midfield helped Germany reassert control. Maier shot straight at Lindahl after cutting inside Schelin in the area. Sweden, having withdrawn Asllani, could not create any more opportunities and when Popp was fouled by Sembrant, Lindahl did well to keep out another Marozsán free kick.

Sweden ended the game as they began it with Dahlkvist again sliding Schelin down the wing, this time the left. Again her target was Schough who mis-kicked then had her second goalbound effort blocked at point-blank range by. . . Marozsán. On Thursday, she will be one of three players in with a chance of winning UEFA’s Best Player in Europe award but in South America, Germany have once again come away with Gold from the Maracanã.

Germany celebrate Olympic Gold defeating Sweden 2-1 at Maracana Stadium on August 19, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.