Marta in the soccer final against USA

The Olympic final in women’s soccer is Saturday between Brazil (with star player Marta) and the United States. The Americans defeated Germany (1-0) in the semifinals after overtime. Brazil retaliated against world champions Spain (4-2).

Earlier this week, Brazil went to CAS to challenge Marta’s suspension. In an urgent hearing, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the challenge. Marta’s two-match suspension was upheld.

The 38-year-old Brazilian received a red card in the group match against Spain (2-0 loss) after a nasty high-footed foul. It seemed to bring a sad end to the long international career of the six-time World Player of the Year, who will be playing his last major tournament in Paris.

But Brazil proved too strong for Spain in the semi-final in Marseille with Marta in the stands. The score was 1-0 in the sixth minute, and Spain scored a clumsy own goal: goalkeeper Kata knocked the ball past goal defender Irene Paredes.

Twenty seconds before injury time in the first half, Gabi Bordillo made it 2-0. Completely free, she was able to work a cross.

The third goal came from a razor-sharp counter midway through the second half. Captain Adriana fired first onto the crossbar but headed home moments later.

Three more goals were scored in the closing stages. Less than eighteen minutes of injury time were added due to treatment of an injury to Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena. Spain first pulled back the favor through Salma Parallulo who headed home from a corner. Then Brazil substitute Caroline took advantage of a mistake behind Spain and managed to slide the ball through the legs of the keeper goal: 4-1.

In the twelfth minute of injury time, Parallelo scored again from a corner, but it was no longer really exciting.

So Marta can still put a good end to her international career. He returned from suspension in the final against USA.

The 201-time international scored 119 goals but never won a major prize with Brazil.

He lost in the Olympic finals in both 2004 and 2008. America was the opponent both times.

The U.S. women are looking for their fifth gold medal. With four Olympic titles, ‘Team USA’ already holds the record, but the last overall victory was twelve years ago.

The USA had more possession and more chances than Germany in Lyon, but couldn’t score. It worked early in extra time when striker Sophia Smith lofted the ball over German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

Smith also scored twice in the group matches between the two countries. USA then won 4-1.