Julius OkorieBrazil posted a superb performance on Tuesday evening at the ongoing Paris Olympics, beating World Cup champions, Spain 4-2, to cruise into the final where they face United States in Saturday’s final at Parc des Princes in Paris.
Gabi Portilho and Adriana struck at Stade de Marseille, after an own goal from Irene Paredes had put the two-time silver medalist in an early lead.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelVictory means Brazil great Marta should get the chance to end her glittering international career by competing for gold after being suspended for the quarterfinals and semifinals.
The 38-year-old Marta has said her sixth Olympics will be her last major tournament with the national team.
Spain won’t get the chance in Paris to further cement their place at the top of women’s soccer by adding Olympic gold to the World Cup it won last year.
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 71st underlined Brazil’s dominance.
This will be the third time Brazil and the United States will battle for the gold medal in the Olympic Games.
USA had earlier beaten Germany by a lone goal scored in extra time to qualify. The USA-Germany match played at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon was goalless at the end of 90 minutes, but Sophia Smith settled the tie for the USA in extra time.
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Germany will face Spain in the bronze medal match on Friday. The USA posted a perfect record going into the final, winning all five matches leading to the final.
It’s also a huge improvement from their shocking last-16 exit in the World Cup last year under former coach Vlatko Andonovski.
The USA, record four-time gold medallists, were also grateful to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for a crucial late save from Laura Freigang and now head to the French capital for the final .
“I saw a little opening of net and I thought I’ve just got to put it there. It was a good feeling,” Smith said of her goal.
“I had a few other chances in this game that I should have put away but sometimes one is all it takes.”
Germany, who won gold in 2016, can still claim a bronze medal as they stay in Lyon for the third-place play-off on Friday, against Spain.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
