Brazil stuns World Cup champion Spain to set up Olympic women’s soccer final with U.S. – MASHAHER

Brazil will meet the United States in the final of the Olympic women’s soccer tournament after beating world champion Spain 4-2 on Tuesday.

Gabi Portilho, Adriana and Kerolin struck at Stade de Marseille after an own goal from Irene Paredes had put the two-time silver medalist in an early lead.

Victory 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.

“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. 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 as Spain meet Germany in Lyon for bronze. 

“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.”

Brazil will play the four-time champion U.S. women’s national team in Saturday’s final at Parc des Princes in Paris.

Brazil has been twice beaten in an Olympic final by the U.S. — at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

“We showed the world that we have a young team and a team that has a very good tactical understanding, that competes, that will always be like this — competitive,” Brazil coach Arthur Elias said. “Brazil in women’s football is a source of great pride.”

U.S. seek first gold in 12 years, beat Germany 1-0

Sophia Smith scored in extra time and the United States earned a spot in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics with a 1-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday.

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 soccer final.

Smith broke the scoreless stalemate five minutes into extra time, out manoeuvring defender Felicitas Rauch and German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

After netting her third goal of the tournament, Smith fell to the ground in celebration and joined in an embrace with teammate Mallory Swanson.

At the final whistle, the U.S. players ran downfield to embrace goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

The Americans had routed Germany 4-1 in the group stage earlier in the tournament.

The U.S. Women’s National Team has missed out on the finals at the last two Olympic tournaments, eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and relegated to the bronze-medal match at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Germany was missing veteran captain Alexandra Popp because of an illness. Popp was the only current German player who was also on the squad that won the gold medal in 2016.

WATCH | Germany eliminate Canada in penalty kicks:

Germany eliminates Canada from Olympics in penalty shootout

Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger of Germany scores the team’s fifth and winning penalty kick in shootout, as the Germans defeat Canada 4-2 in the quarterfinal match at Paris 2024.

There were few chances on either side in the opening half. Klara Buehl forced U.S. goalkeeper Naeher into a diving save in the 29th minute but she was offside. For most of the match, Germany hunkered down on defence in the absence of Popp and Schuller.

Rose Lavelle had a chance for the U.S. early in the game but her attempt went straight into Berger’s arms.

The game seemed to open up in the last 20 minutes of regulation. Janina Minge got off a shot in the 73rd but it was easily saved by Naeher. Some five minutes later, Lindsey Horan’s header was caught by Berger.

Swanson appeared to break through in the 85th but she was called back for offside.

The United States was in the semifinals after a hard-fought 1-0 win in extra time against Japan. Trinity Rodman scored the lone goal, her third of the tournament.

Germany advanced on penalties after a scoreless draw with Canada in the quarterfinals. Berger stopped two Canada attempts then converted on her own penalty kick to win it.