Marseille, France: After defeating world champion Spain 4-2, Brazil will play the USA in the final of the Olympic women's soccer tournament on Tuesday.
Irene Paredes' own goal put the two-time silver medalists ahead in a thrilling semi-final with Gabi Portilho, Adriana and Caroline at the Stade de Marseille.
“It's a dream, and a dream come true,” said Caroline, whose first goal in more than 15 minutes of stoppage time helped Spain fend off a late comeback. “I'm very excited, very excited, very excited and I'm really, really, really impressed with my teammates.”
Victory means Brazilian great Marta has the chance to end her glittering international career by challenging for gold after being suspended in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Marta, 38, said her sixth Olympics would be her last major tournament with the national team.
Angelina, who is leading the Brazilian team, said, 'We knew what we came to do today and today was the final for us. “So, we were just very determined and we just came for the win.”
Angelina said the Brazil team “will celebrate a little” but needs to focus on the final soon.
“It was a great win. Again, Spain is a wonderful team and we knew it,” she said. “So now we need to rest and we need to study a lot, and see what we can do against America.”
Spain will not have the chance to add to their Olympic gold at last year's World Cup in Paris and extend their place at the top of women's football.
But there is still much to play for at the Paris Games.
“We are fighting for the best and this will continue until the end of the Olympics,” said Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso. “Even getting a bronze medal is very difficult.”
Paredes' own goal in the sixth minute kept Brazil under control, while Portilho doubled the lead in the fourth minute of injury time in the first half.
Adriana's header in the 71st underlined Brazil's dominance. But with victory seemingly assured, there was plenty of drama to come.
Salma Paraluello pulled one back for Spain in the 85th minute with a header, followed by Alexia Putelas who hit the bar with a shot from outside the area.
Caroline made it 4-1 — firing past Spain goalkeeper Kata Cole's legs.
Paraluello scored the second goal in the 12th minute of the game, but by then it was too late for Spain to come back.
Brazil will play the four-time champion US women's national team in Saturday's final at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Spain will play Germany in Lyon for the bronze medal.
Brazil has lost to the US in the Olympic final twice — in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
After losing to Spain 2-0 in the group stage of the competition, they confirmed their place in the final for the third time.
It was a game that also saw Marta red-carded, and Brazil confirmed that his appeal against his ban had been dismissed just hours before kickoff in the semi-final.
In the end, Brazil didn't need their greatest player on this occasion and took a big step early on for the final after a disastrous mix-up in Spain's defense when Cole – under pressure from Priscilla – tried to turn from Paredes and attempt a clearance. in his own trap.
Brazil dominated the chances – scoring repeatedly – and made their superiority count before half-time through Portillo, who slotted Yasmim's cross into the bottom corner.
Adriana made it 3-0 after seeing her initial effort hit the bar from six yards and then deflected in from Portilho's nod.
After defeating Colombia 2-0 in the quarter-finals, Spain gave hope to its supporters through Paraluelo's header. But when Caroline put Brazil 4-1 up, it was nothing but a second consolation for Paraluello.
“We will show the world that we have a young team and a team with a very good tactical understanding, which competes, as it will always be – competitive,” Brazil coach Arthur Elias said. “Brazil is a source of great pride in women's football.”
