The U.S. women's basketball team secured their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in a dramatic fashion on Sunday, rallying to defeat France 67-66 in a nail-biting final. Despite being down by 10 points in the second half, the American team showed resilience and composure, continuing their historic winning streak that dates back to the 1996 Olympics.

France, who were looking to end the U.S. dominance, led for much of the game and came close to a major upset. With just moments left, Gabby Williams of France hit what the home crowd thought was a game-tying 3-pointer as time expired. However, it was ruled a two-pointer as her foot was on the line, leaving France just one point short.

A'ja Wilson led the U.S. team with a stellar performance, scoring 21 points. Key contributions also came from Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper, who both added 12 points off the bench. Their efforts helped the team overcome the deficit and maintain their perfect Olympic gold medal streak.

Veteran player Diana Taurasi highlighted the importance of earning each victory, regardless of past achievements. "History doesn’t earn you another [gold medal]," she remarked, acknowledging the increased competitiveness of international teams who are investing heavily in their programs.

Sabrina Ionescu, another key player for the U.S., emphasized the team's mental toughness in facing the home crowd and a strong French team. "We were playing a really good France team in France. We understood they were going to have the crowd, everyone behind them. That room sometimes feels bigger when you have that," she said, reflecting on the high-pressure environment.

The victory not only secured another gold for the U.S. but also reaffirmed their position as the dominant force in women's basketball on the global stage.