RIO DE JANEIRO — As she wobbled along on a flat tire four years ago in London, Gwen Jorgensen promised to turn that heartbreak into a conquering of Copacabana Beach at the Rio Games.

She crushed both the course and the competition Saturday, giving the U.S. its first Olympic triathlon gold medal by cruising across the finish line in 1 hour, 56 minutes, 16 seconds.

Gwen Jorgensen of the United States waves after receiving the gold medal for the women's triathlon on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday. Associated Press/David Goldman

Gwen Jorgensen, right, of the U.S. and defending Olympic champion Nicola Spirig of Switzerland run side-by-side during Saturday's triathlon. Jorgensen pulled away in the final mile to win the gold medal. Associated Press/Jeff Pachoud

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That was 40 seconds ahead of silver medalist Nicola Spirig of Switzerland, who won gold at the 2012 Games after Jorgensen’s flat tire relegated her to a 38th-place finish.

Vicky Holland outsprinted British teammate Non Stanford for the bronze. Sarah True, the wife of North Yarmouth native Ben True, suffered cramps during the bike leg and dropped out of the race.

Jorgensen and Spirig were even until Jorgensen made her move with two kilometers left in the 10K final leg that followed a steep, 38.5K bike ride and a one-loop ocean swim.

Jorgensen said she was thinking of all the sacrifices, not just hers, but those of her coach, Jamie Turner, and her husband, Patrick Lemieux, who abandoned his pro cycling career to serve as her operations manager.

“I’ve been pretty vocal about my goal for the past four years. After London, I said I wanted to go to Rio and I wanted to win gold,” Jorgensen said. “And for anyone that’s been around me, they know how much my husband Patrick has invested. He’s given up his career to support me. And then I also have Jamie Turner, who I’ve been on this four-year journey with and he’s done so much for me.

“Just thinking about all the investments they’ve put into me and thinking about the four years, it all came down to one day,” Jorgensen said. “And to be able to actually execute on that day is pretty amazing.”

MEN’S SOCCER: Brazil’s trophy case is finally complete. The five-time World Cup champions won the only championship they were still missing, defeating Germany 5-4 in a penalty shootout and winning a soccer gold medal for the first time.

Neymar scored with a superb free kick in regulation and converted the decisive penalty in the shootout after Brazilian goalkeeper Weverton stopped Nils Petersen’s shot of Germany’s fifth attempt.

It was the crowning achievement of the 2016 Olympics for Brazil, restoring some of the nation’s soccer pride after a series of disappointing results, including a 7-1 loss to Germany at the 2014 World Cup. Neymar fell sobbing after he was mobbed by teammates.

Nigeria beat Honduras 3-2 to win the bronze medal.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: The U.S. topped the Netherlands 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-19, bouncing back to win the bronze medal two days after a heartbreaking five-set defeat to Serbia in the semifinals.

WOMEN’S GOLF: Inbee Park of South Korea made three straight birdies early in the final round to build a big lead, never let anyone closer than three shots the rest of the way and closed with a 5-under 66 for a five-shot victory.

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the No. 1 player in women’s golf, made an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 69 to claim the silver. Shanshan Feng of China shot 69 and took the bronze.

BOXING: Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba used a strong third round to finish off Shakur Stevenson of the U.S. and win gold in the bantamweight final.

The fight was even on the scorecards through two rounds. Ramirez, now a two-time Olympic gold medalist, won 29-28 on two scorecards. Stevenson, 19, won one card 29-28, but suffered his first loss in international competition.

MEN’S WATER POLO: Dusan Mandic scored four times and Serbia beat Croatia 11-7 to win the gold medal.

Serbia was the favorite going into the Rio Games, increasing the pressure on the players to bring home the country’s first Olympic title in perhaps its favorite sport.

Sandro Sukno scored three times for Croatia, which won gold in London.

Italy beat Montenegro 12-10 for the bronze medal.

DIVING: Chen Aisen won the men’s 10-meter platform event, giving China its seventh title in eight diving events at the Rio Games.

Aisen totaled 585.30 points. German Sanchez of Mexico earned silver at 532.70, and defending champion David Boudia of the United States took bronze at 525.25.