Brazil Women to meet US in Olympic football final
Brazil will meet the United States in the final of the Olympic women’s football tournament after beating world champions Spain 4-2 yesterday.
Gabi Portilho, Adriana and Kerolin struck in a thrilling semi-final at Stade de Marseille after an own-goal from Irene Paredes had put the two-time silver medallists in front.
“It’s a dream, and dreams come true,” said Kerolin, whose goal in the first of more than 15 minutes of stoppage time helped to hold off a late Spain fightback. “I’m so excited, so excited, so excited and I’m really, really, really impressed by my teammates.”
Victory means Brazil great Marta has the chance to end her glittering international career by competing for gold after being suspended for the quarterfinals and semi-finals.
The 38-year-old Marta has said her sixth Olympics will be her last major tournament with the national team.
“We just knew what we came to do today, and it was a final for us today,” said Angelina, who was leading the Brazil team. “So, we were just very determined and we just came for the win.”
Angelina said the Brazil squad needed to “celebrate a little bit” but quickly focus on the final. “It was a big win. Spain are an amazing team and we knew that,” she said. “So now we need to rest and we need to study a lot, and see what we can do against the US.” Paredes’ sixth-minute own goal put Brazil in control and Portilho doubled the advantage in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time. Adriana’s header in the 71st underlined Brazil’s dominance. But with the win seemingly assured, there was far more drama to come. Salma Paralluelo pulled a goal back for Spain with a header in the 85th and almost immediately Alexia Putellas struck the bar with a shot from outside the area. Kerolin made it 4-1 — shooting through Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll’s legs.
Paralluelo got her second in the 12th minute of stoppage time, but by then it was too late for Spain to mount a comeback.
Sophia Smith’s extra-time goal earned the United States a spot in the gold medal match with a 1-0 semi-final victory over Germany. The Americans, undefeated in France under new coach Emma Hayes, will be vying for their fifth gold medal in their sixth appearance in the Olympic women’s football on Saturday.