MARSEILLE, France: Brazil will face the United States in the Olympic women's soccer final after world champions Spain beat Spain 4-2 on Tuesday.
Gabi Portilho, Adriana and Kerolin struck in a thrilling semi-final at the Stade de Marseille after Irene Paredes' own goal put the two-time silver medalist in front.
“It was a dream, and it's a dream come true,” said Kerolin, whose late goal helped stop Spain's lead in the first half with more than 15 minutes to spare. “I'm really happy, happy, happy, 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 competing for gold after being suspended in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Marta, 38, said her sixth Olympic Games will be her last major competition with the national team.
“We just know what we're going to do today, and it's a final for us today,” said Angelina, who led the Brazil team. “So, we're very determined and we're here to win.”
Angelina said the Brazilian team needed to “celebrate a bit” but quickly focused on the final.
“It's a big win. Again, Spain is an amazing team and we know that,” he said. “So now we need to rest and we need to learn a lot, and see what we can do against the United States.”
Spain will miss the chance in Paris to cement their place at the top of women's football by adding to the Olympic gold they won at the World Cup last year.
But there is still a lot to play for in the Paris Games.
“We are always fighting for something very beautiful and the Olympics will continue until the end,” said Jennifer Hermoso, a Spanish soccer player. “It's also difficult to win a bronze medal.”
Paredes' sixth-minute own goal put Brazil in control and Portilho doubled their advantage in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Adriana's header in the 71st highlighted Brazil's dominance. But with victory seemingly assured, there is more drama to come.
Salma Paralluelo pulled the ball back for Spain with a header in the 85th and Alexia Putellas almost immediately hit the bar with a shot from outside the area.
Kerolin made it 4-1 — shooting through the legs of Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll.
Paralluelo grabbed his second in the 12th minute of stoppage time, but it was too late for Spain to pull one back.
Brazil will face the four-time champion US women's national team in Saturday's final at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Spain play Germany in Lyon for bronze.
The United States has defeated Brazil twice in the Olympics — in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
They secured their third place in the finals after recovering from a 2-0 defeat to Spain in the group stage.
It was a game that also saw Marta red-carded, and Brazil received confirmation hours before kick-off that their appeal for a ban had been rejected.
In the end, Brazil didn't need their biggest player this time and took a big step towards an early finish after a terrible mix-up in Spain's defense as Coll – on low pressure from Priscila – tries to push Paredes and into the net.
Brazil dominated — they were on the ball one after another — and made their superiority count on the break through Portilho, who headed Yasmim's cross into the bottom corner.
Adriana made it 3-0 after seeing his first-time effort hit the box from six yards and then slotted in from a Portilho nod back into the goal.
Spain, who fought back from 2-0 down to beat Colombia in the quarter-finals, gave their fans hope through Paralluelo's header. But as Kerolin put Brazil 4-1 up, Paralluelo's second was nothing more than a consolation.
“We showed the world that we have a young team and a team with a very good tactical understanding, which is competitive, which will always be – competitive,” said Brazil coach Arthur Elias. “Brazil is very proud of women's football.”
