In June 2019, Marta, Brazil’s captain and all-rounder, began a rousing speech to her country’s younger generation around the world as the cameras turned on her after Brazil’s early return to the world stage with an extra-time win over hosts France in the last 16 of the World Cup in Le Havre. Five years later, nearly 500 miles south, the cameras turned once more to Marta. Reaching their first major final since 2008, Brazil outplayed Spain and beat the reigning world champions 4-0.
Seven days earlier, Marta’s brilliant international career seemed to have come to a heartbreaking end after 201 appearances. In the group stage encounter against Spain, she received a straight red card for a challenge on injury time.
Marta has players to rely on behind her, and despite her absence and injury problems, she was able to advance to the gold medal match. Arthur Elias’ performance in this tournament was not always pretty. They went through as the second-best third-tier side after two group stage losses to Spain and Japan, but they boosted their confidence by beating France and Spain to ensure their captain could make one last comeback.
Brazil surprised in the semi-finals, overcoming many favorites to win the tournament, and while tired with injuries, like every team in this tournament, Brazil should have come down harder against opponents with an all-over defense.
At times dominated by the US, but unsuccessful. Spain looked tired The grueling nature of this tournament and the amount of football they’ve played over the last two years is a sign that it’s starting to take its toll. Defeats to Italy and the Czech Republic in the last 12 months have been masked by Nations League success and Euro 2025 qualification, but reveal a gap in their indestructible armour.
This Olympics has reached the finish line. Brazil and the U.S. have gone through the sheer will to find the ability to dig deeper into their energy reserves than their rivals.
Emma Hayes led the United States to their first major final since winning in France in 2019, a remarkable performance for a manager two months in, but battling fatigue. Sophia Smith admitted to the media that she was too tired to kneel down to celebrate after finding the pace to score the winner against Germany in extra time.
Fairy tales rarely happen in football, but this meeting has the chance to write two perfect scripts. Will it be a farewell to one of the greatest players the women’s game has ever seen? Or the ideal start for a manager at the beginning of his journey in international football?