In a stunning upset, Brazil defeated the reigning world champions, Spain, 4-2 in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. This surprising victory, achieved in Marseilles, earned Brazil a spot in the highly anticipated gold medal match against the United States, scheduled for Saturday morning.
The match kicked off dramatically as Brazil capitalized on a mistake by Spain’s goalkeeper, Cata Coll. A misjudged clearance attempt led to an own goal by Spain’s captain, Irene Paredes, just six minutes into the game. This early setback set the stage for a challenging encounter for the Spanish team, who were expected to dominate.
Brazil continued their strong performance in the first half. With four minutes of added time, Gabi Portilho scored with a precise right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the bottom right corner and giving Brazil a 2-0 lead at halftime. This was achieved despite the absence of their star forward Marta, who was suspended following a group stage match against Spain.
In the second half, Brazil’s attacking prowess was evident. Substitute Adriana made a notable impact, first hitting the crossbar with a powerful shot and then heading in a goal to extend Brazil’s lead to 3-0.
Spain fought back with determination, and in the 85th minute, Salma Paralluelo scored a well-placed header, putting Spain on the scoreboard. Shortly after, Alexia Putellas attempted a long-range shot, but Brazil’s goalkeeper made a crucial save.
Brazil sealed their victory in stoppage time with a goal from Kerolin in the 91st minute, making it 4-1. Although Spain managed to score again with Paralluelo’s second goal just before the final whistle, it was not enough to alter the outcome.
This win without Marta highlighted Brazil’s depth and skill, marking a significant achievement for the Selecao. They now prepare for a rematch against the US women’s national team in the gold medal match. The US advanced to the final with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Germany in Lyon, thanks to a decisive goal by Sophia Smith in the 95th minute of extra time.
The US women’s national soccer team, the most decorated in Olympic history with four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, will look to add another gold to their collection. They missed the medal round at the Rio 2016 Olympics and secured bronze at the Tokyo 2021 Games.
