August 7 – Brazil upset world champions Spain 4-2 to reach the final of the Olympic women’s tournament against the United States. The final will mark Marta’s grand farewell in Brazilian colours.
After triumphing at last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the Spanish were overwhelming favourites to make a blockbuster final against the Americans, who eliminated Germany 1-0 after extra time, but they were three goals down after 72 minutes and did not stage a late rescue.
Irene Paredes with an own goal, Gabi Portilho and Adriana gave Brazil a three-goal cushion.
That should have been enough before Spain got a lifeline through an own goal from Dua Sampiao, but Brazil responded with a fourth from Kerolin. In injury time, Salma Paralluelo scored Spain’s second, but there would be no repeat of the late heroics against Colombia in the quarter-finals.
Brazil’s final spot will allow Marta one last grand hooray.
A star of the women’s game, Marta had said the tournament would mark her international retirement, but in a 2-0 loss against the Spanish in the group phase, she was sent off, leading to a two-match suspension that kept her out of both the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Hours before the last-four encounter, Brazil had their appeal against her ban rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In the final, Brazil will play the four-time Olympic champions US, in what is a repeat of the W Gold Cup final played in February this year in San Diego. The US won that game 1-0.
They laboured to overcome Germany 1-0 in their second meeting this tournament. In the group stage, Emma Hayes’ team had breezed past the Europeans 4-1, but this time, the US needed extra time. Five minutes into extra time, Sophia Smith broke the deadlock with her third goal of the tournament.
The Americans will be seeking to clinch a fifth gold medal at the Parc des Princes on Saturday after missing out on the final in the last two Olympic tournaments.
Brazil have never won Olympic gold. In 2004 and 2008, they had to settle for silver following defeat to the Americans twice.
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