Brazil surprised world champions Spain with a 4-2 win on Tuesday to return to the Paris 2024 women’s football final, where they will try to avenge the United States’ record-breaking Olympic titles.
In the second meeting of the tournament between the two teams, the Brazilians, who lost (2-0) in the group stage, this time emerged victorious against the Spaniards, with an own goal from Irene Paredes (six minutes) and goals from Gaby Portillo (45’+4), Adriana (72′) and Caroline (90’+1), against an own goal from Duda Sampaio (85′) and a goal from Salma Paralluelo (90’+12).
The Canaries, who will return to the Olympic final 16 years later, and four-time champions the United States will meet for the third time in the Olympic final, after 2004 and 2008, both of which were won by the North Americans in extra time.
Brazilian Marta, 38, a six-time Ballon d’Or winner who served her second match of the penalty for being sent off against Spain today, has already announced that Paris 2024 will be her farewell to international football, thus the chance to end her sixth Olympic Games with a decisive game and a third guaranteed medal to add to the silver medals of 2004 and 2008.
In the semi-final, held today at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, Brazil took the lead after six minutes thanks to a huge mistake by Cata Coll, who tried to ‘spill’ forward but saw the ball hit Priscila and then the body of teammate Irene Paredes, bouncing neatly into the empty net.
Trying to nullify Roja’s attacks from behind, the Canarinha continued to create many difficulties for the world champions and in the fourth minute of stoppage time of the second half the score reached 2-0, with Gabi Portillo successfully finishing off a cross from Jasmim.
In the second half, Brazil maintained control of the game against a Spain far from its usual level and increased the gap thanks to Adriana’s third goal in the 72nd minute after a counterattack.
In a final phase of a game that was full of goals, an own goal by Duda Sampaio, trying to parry a header from Salma Paralluelo in the 85th minute, reignited the Spanish “flame” – Alexia Putellas hit the post a minute later – – but Caroline, again after a poor approach by Cata Coll, restored the lead to three goals (90+1) before Paralluelo reduced it (90+12).
The United States previously qualified for the women’s soccer tournament final, but were again forced into extra time to beat Germany 1-0 after a goalless draw at the end of regulation.
In Lyon, as in the quarter-final against Japan (1-0), the goalless draw lasted for 90 minutes, and only in extra time did the record holders manage to make a statement thanks to a goal scored by Sophia Smith (95).
The final between the United States, gold medalists in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012, silver in 2000 and bronze in 2020, and Brazil, silver in 2004 and 2008, is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. (in Lisbon) at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.
Spain, new to the Olympics, will be battling Germany for the bronze medal, gold in 2016 and bronze in 2000, 2004 and 2008, in a match scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. in Lyon.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.