Brazil produced a scintillating display to stun Spain and book a Women’s Olympic Football Tournament final showdown with USA. Seleção overwhelmed the world champions in Marseille, with the 4-2 scoreline a fair reflection of their superiority. Brazil got off to a dream start when Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll’s clearance hit Irene Paredes and went in for an own goal.
Gabi Portilho doubled their lead, before Adriana Leal da Silva added a third for the rampant South Americans. USA will have a shot at a record-extending fifth gold at the Parc des Princes on Saturday. Brazil, who will have Marta available after suspension, will be eyeing their maiden Olympic triumph. Spain and Germany, meanwhile, will battle for bronze in Lyon on Friday.
Heading into this unmissable showdown, the narratives are just too good on both sides. Two months after taking the reins of the USWNT, decorated manager Emma Hayes is now on the brink of returning them to glory and adding her first international trophy to her long list of accolades.
On the other side, the South Americans have the chance to win their first-ever gold medal and send Marta out on the ultimate high. The 38-year-old has already announced her retirement at the end of 2024, but this is her sixth Olympic Games and will be her last major tournament on the international stage.
These two sides are not new to each other, either. Saturday will mark the 41st meeting in a long history that has seen the Americans on the winning side 32 times. Five draws have been contested, while the Brazilians have won just three.
The USA, under new English coach Emma Hayes, will be favourites to win Saturday’s final showdown at the Parc des Princes in Paris and claim a record-extending fifth title after previous triumphs in 1996, 2004, 2008 and in London 12 years ago.
Brazil will now at worst match their previous best showing in the Olympic women’s football, when they won the silver medal in 2004 and 2008, losing the final on both occasions to the USA in extra time. Spain, meanwhile, can still claim a first ever medal when they play Germany in Lyon on Friday in a play-off for bronze.
“We just knew what we came to do today, and it was a final for us today,” said Angelina Alonso Costantino, 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. Again, Spain is 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 U.S.”
Spain won’t get the chance in Paris to further cement its place at the top of women’s soccer by adding Olympic gold to the World Cup it won last year. But there’s plenty still to play for at the Paris Games. “We keep fighting for something super nice and it will continue to be the Olympics until the end,” Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso said. “A bronze medal is also very difficult to get.”
